Dubai residents may soon be able to book all-electric air taxis directly through the Uber app, as the city prepares to introduce a new urban air mobility service under Uber Air.

The upcoming feature will allow riders to enter their destination as usual. If eligible, an air taxi option will appear alongside standard ride choices. With a single tap, users will be able to book the entire journey, including premium car transfers to and from the vertiport, as well as the flight itself.

How air taxi works

The aircraft is designed to carry up to four passengers and will be operated by a certified commercial pilot.

Key features include:

• Six tilting propellers enabling vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)
• Transition into forward flight after lift-off
• Top speeds of up to 200 miles per hour
• Range of up to 100 miles on a single charge

The cabin offers comfortable seating and panoramic city views from large windows, positioning the experience as both practical and premium.

Built for urban environments

Designed specifically for city operations, the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft includes multiple layers of safety redundancy.

Its acoustic profile has been engineered to blend into typical urban soundscapes, addressing concerns about noise pollution, a key factor in urban air mobility adoption.

When first passenger flights will take off

Initial passenger flights are expected to begin later this year in Dubai, marking a major milestone in the emirate’s push toward multi-modal and future-forward transportation systems.

The initiative reflects Dubai’s broader ambition to integrate air mobility into everyday commuting, allowing riders to seamlessly transition between ground and air transport within a single booking experience.

If launched as planned, Dubai would become one of the first cities globally to offer commercial air taxi bookings through a mainstream ride-hailing platform.

Parkin, the largest provider of paid public parking facilities and services in Dubai, has submitted a formal request to the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) seeking adjustments to parking tariffs and the seasonal card structure.

The Dubai-listed company confirmed in a statement to the Dubai Financial Market that the proposal was made in mid-February 2026 and, if approved, would increase the weighted-average public parking tariff.

• ture
• Measures aimed at reducing price arbitrage
• Better alignment with the variable pricing system introduced in 2025

Parkin said the proposals are designed to preserve the existing discount framework while promoting long-term fairness for customers, the company and the RTA.

The RTA has acknowledged receipt of the proposal and will conduct a detailed review before seeking guidance and final approval from Dubai’s Executive Council.

What happens next

The proposal is now under review by the RTA. Any tariff changes would require final approval from Dubai authorities before implementation.

For motorists, this means potential further adjustments to public parking costs in the months ahead, particularly for seasonal cardholders and long-term users.

Motorists in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) will soon need to budget for on-street parking, as a new ticketless, fully digital system prepares to go live across the community.

Managed by Parkonic, the initiative introduces a time-based pricing structure and integrates directly with drivers’ Salik accounts for automatic billing, marking a significant shift from traditional parking models in Dubai.

The official activation date has yet to be confirmed.

Tiered parking fees

Under the new regulations, parking charges will apply from Monday to Saturday, with free parking on Sundays and public holidays.

The hourly rates are structured as follows:

• Dh4 per hour: 8am to 4pm
• Dh6 per hour (peak): 4pm to 8pm
• Dh4 per hour: 8pm to midnight

The higher evening tariff is designed to manage demand during peak hours, particularly in mixed-use residential and commercial zones.

How the cashless system works

Unlike conventional paid parking zones in Dubai, DSO will not have:

• Physical ticket machines
• Cash payment options
• QR code payment points

Instead, the system operates entirely through digital number plate recognition.

Drivers will have two payment options:

1. SMS Parking

Motorists can send an SMS to the number displayed on signage to initiate a parking session.

2. Automatic Salik Deduction (Default Method)

If no SMS session is activated, the system will automatically deduct the parking fee from the vehicle’s Salik account upon exit.

The vehicle’s Salik account is the default payment method unless SMS payment is successfully initiated.

Advice for drivers without Salik card

The parking policy applies to all vehicles, including those belonging to People of Determination (POD).

Drivers without a Salik account, or those with insufficient balance, are advised to use the SMS payment option. Failure to pay may result in:

• Fines
• Possible enforcement measures, including blacklisting

Salik deductions remain subject to the toll operator’s standard terms and conditions.

What residents and visitors should do

With activation pending, residents and regular visitors to Dubai Silicon Oasis are encouraged to:

• Ensure their Salik account is active and sufficiently funded
• Familiarise themselves with the tiered rate structure
• Monitor official announcements from Parkonic for the confirmed start date

The move reflects Dubai’s continued push toward smart city infrastructure and automated mobility systems, while also reshaping parking habits in one of the emirate’s fastest-growing communities.