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Dubai to announce first air taxi station soon, says RTA

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Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) on Tuesday said that that the first station of the air taxi project will be announced soon.

The official operation of the first air taxi station is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026, and that the project will include the initial launch of four stations.

“The project is considered an ambitious step in the field of autonomous air transport, and aims to provide a modern and effective means of transportation, as the air taxi is expected to serve different areas of the city, with a focus on linking the service to hotels and the airport,” Khalid Al Awadhi, Director of Transportation Systems Department at the Public Transport Agency at RTA, said on the sidelines of the Intelligent Transport Systems Conference and Exhibition, which is being held at the Dubai World Trade Centre from September 16 to 20.

The first phase of the service will include four strategic landing sites in Dubai — Dubai International Airport, Downtown, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah. They will be designed and developed in collaboration with Skyports and will include dedicated take-off and landing areas, electric charging facilities, a dedicated passenger area and security procedures.

Tyler Trerotola, general manager of the Middle East at Joby Aviation, said on the sidelines of the event that the air taxi service is expected to start in the first quarter of 2026, with early operations likely to begin late next year.

He added that the air taxi is an innovative electric aircraft that can carry four passengers and a pilot. The aircraft has a speed of up to 320kmph and a range of up to 160km. It operates smoothly and quietly compared to helicopters, as it emits a sound of no more than 45 decibels, which is less than the sound of rain.

Tyler pointed out that the new service will contribute to easing traffic congestion in Dubai, as it is expected to reduce the travel time from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah to only 10-12 minutes, compared to the current time of more than 45 minutes during peak times. He stressed the importance of this initiative in supporting smart mobility initiatives in Dubai, expressing his enthusiasm to cooperate with the Roads and Transport Authority and SkyPorts to achieve the company’s vision of developing sustainable air mobility in the city.

It is powered by electricity, making it environmentally friendly as it does not produce operational emissions. The latest modern technologies in this field worldwide were used in its manufacture.

The agreement was signed during the World Government Summit in Dubai, granting Joby the exclusive right to operate air taxis in the city for six years. The agreement covers all the essential components needed for the service to succeed, including determining routes, providing the necessary infrastructure, and providing aircraft with the required capacity.

The project enhances Dubai’s position as a leading city in the applications of modern technology in transportation, and reflects its commitment to sustainable innovation.

Air taxis help reduce reliance on traditional means of transportation, helping to reduce carbon emissions and boost environmental efforts in the city.

Air taxis also provide a convenient and fast alternative for getting between major points in the city, improving the transportation experience and reducing time.

The air taxi is expected to help ease traffic congestion on major roads while attracting visitors and tourists by providing an innovative and unique transportation experience, thus contributing to boosting the city’s tourism sector.

With 20 years of experience across print, TV, and digital journalism, Sudhashree is a seasoned media professional with a keen eye for news. A true news bug, she thrives on curating stories that capture the pulse of fashion, film, and all things trending. Deeply immersed in the fast-evolving media landscape, she swears by the power of social media to shape narratives and spark conversations.

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UAE fuel prices for June announced: Petrol edges closer to Dh4 a litre

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The UAE announced revised fuel prices for June 2026, with motorists set to pay significantly more for petrol while diesel costs decline compared to the previous month.

The latest adjustment is particularly notable as it marks the country’s first monthly fuel pricing update since formally leaving both OPEC and OPEC+ earlier this year.

Beginning June 1, Super 98 petrol will be priced at Dh3.95 per litre, up from Dh3.66 in May. Special 95 will rise to Dh3.83 per litre from Dh3.55, while E-Plus 91 will increase from Dh3.48 to Dh3.76 per litre.

In contrast, diesel users will benefit from a reduction, with prices falling from Dh4.69 per litre in May to Dh4.33 in June.

The latest increase extends a three-month upward trend in petrol prices, reflecting ongoing volatility in global energy markets and fluctuations in crude oil prices.

Impact on residents

For households across the UAE, fuel price movements remain a key economic indicator, influencing transportation costs, daily commuting expenses and overall household budgets. Rising petrol prices can have a noticeable impact on monthly spending, particularly for residents who rely heavily on private vehicles.

The June pricing announcement comes just weeks after the UAE officially ended its six-decade membership in OPEC and OPEC+, a move that took effect on May 1, 2026.

The revised prices will come into effect from June1, 2026.

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Dubai announces Dh1.5 billion package to protect jobs and support businesses

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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has approved a fresh Dh1.5 billion economic support package aimed at protecting jobs, easing pressure on businesses and strengthening Dubai’s economy during a challenging period for the region.

The latest measures bring the total value of Dubai’s recent economic support initiatives to Dh2.5 billion, following an earlier Dh1 billion package introduced earlier this year.

The new package includes 33 initiatives that will be rolled out over the next three to 12 months, targeting key sectors including tourism, hospitality, trade, education and customs services.

One of the biggest beneficiaries is Dubai’s hotel and tourism industry, with several major fee relief measures announced to reduce operating costs.

Hotels across the emirate will be allowed to postpone 100 per cent of government sales fees on rooms as well as food and beverage services for three months. The relief applies to hotels, hotel apartments and holiday homes.

Dubai has also postponed the Tourism Dirham fee, a charge applied to hotel stays for up to 30 consecutive nights, for the same period. Hotels will additionally be exempt from permit, postponement and cancellation fees related to events.

Retailers and commercial businesses are also expected to benefit, with Dubai removing additional charges linked to sales campaigns and promotional offers. The move is likely to encourage more discounts and shopping promotions across the city over the coming months.

The package further includes streamlined procedures for residency permit issuance and renewals, although detailed implementation guidelines are yet to be announced.

Other sectors receiving support include education, customs, transport and aviation. Measures include deferred licence renewal fees for educational institutions, payment deferrals in the transport sector, an 80 per cent reduction in customs fines and a 50 per cent cut in fees for renewing civil aviation permits.

In a statement shared on X, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the initiatives reinforce Dubai’s economic resilience and competitiveness while strengthening partnerships between the government and private sector.

He added that Dubai remains committed to supporting businesses and residents while continuing to position itself as a leading global economic hub.

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Dubai property boom fuels ANAROCK’s Middle East expansion plans

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ANAROCK Group has announced a major leadership reshuffle as it looks to expand its footprint across the Middle East and Europe, with a strong focus on Dubai’s growing real estate market.

The independent real estate consultancy said the appointments come as the region enters a new phase of growth, driven by rising investor confidence, infrastructure expansion and increasing demand across residential and institutional real estate sectors.

New leadership appointments

Anuj Kejriwal has been appointed CEO, EMEA, while continuing his current role as Founding Partner and Head of Retail Advisory.

In his expanded position, Kejriwal will oversee the rollout of ANAROCK’s institutional advisory services across the Middle East, including capital markets, land services, consulting and valuation.

The company said Dubai will act as the launchpad for its wider regional expansion strategy before moving into broader European markets.

Meanwhile, Aayush Puri has been named CEO – Residential, Middle East and CEO of ANAROCK Channel Partner (ACP).

He will lead the firm’s residential business across the region while continuing to oversee the international operations of ANACITY, the group’s proptech and property management platform.

Focus on Dubai’s growth

According to ANAROCK, Dubai’s real estate market remains one of the key long-term growth drivers for the company, supported by strong economic fundamentals and sustained investor demand.

The firm also plans to hire senior local talent across consulting, residential and capital markets divisions as part of its expansion push.

Anuj Puri, Chairman of ANAROCK Group, said the leadership changes reflect the company’s commitment to strengthening its regional presence and capturing new cross-border opportunities in one of the world’s most dynamic real estate markets.

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