UAE’s vision for AAM takes centre stage in London with air taxi installation
Commuters at London Charing Cross Station this week are witnessing a glimpse of the future of urban transportation as a striking flying taxi installation takes centre stage.
Running from October 9 to 16, the display is part of the UAE’s “Invest in the Emirates” campaign, showcasing the country’s forward-looking plans to integrate urban air mobility (UAM) into its public transportation network by 2026.
Previously showcased in major cities, including Munich, Paris, and New York, the campaign emphasises the UAE’s commitment to pioneering industries like advanced air mobility (AAM) and invites global innovators to join its vision.
Over the past few years, AAM has emerged as a transformative approach to urban transport, leveraging electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to alleviate traffic congestion on city streets, provide efficient airport transfers, and significantly reduce travel times, ultimately enhancing the overall passenger experience.
UAE AAM landscape
The UAE has emerged as a leader in this sector, driving progress with dedicated initiatives and collaborations aimed at transforming urban mobility.
Its commitment to AAM is underscored by several key achievements, including the launch of the world’s first AAM integrator centre in Dubai.
This centre, a joint effort between VPorts, the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH), sets a global precedent in advancing air mobility infrastructure.
In alignment with these efforts, the Dubai government approved a proposal from Skyports and the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in 2021 to establish four vertiport locations by 2026.
Further advancing these efforts, Abu Dhabi in October 2023 unveiled the Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster in Masdar city, aiming to drive eVTOL innovation by providing start-ups access to research labs, testing grounds, and manufacturing facilities to expedite the commercialisation and licensing processes.
Strategic partnerships
Moreover, the UAE’s commitment to developing its air taxi network has attracted key international players.
Earlier this year, US-based Joby Aviation signed an exclusive agreement with the RTA to launch air taxi services in Dubai by 2026, with initial operations expected as early as 2025.
This highlights the UAE’s focus on fostering strategic global relationships to accelerate the adoption of AAM solutions.
The DRIFTx event in Abu Dhabi held in April further underscored this momentum, with new partnerships aimed at propelling AAM across the Emirates.
During the event, Joby Aviation signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DTC Abu Dhabi), marking plans to bring air taxi services to the capital.
At the same time, Archer Aviation secured a multi-million-dollar agreement with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), which includes plans for local manufacturing, operations, and training, establishing Abu Dhabi as a leader in UAM.
New entrants to the UAE’s air mobility landscape are also making an impact.
Chinese start-up EHang has entered into a strategic partnership with ADIO and the MENA fintech leader, Multi Level Group (MLG), to introduce air taxi services in Abu Dhabi.
Meanwhile, Manta Aircraft, specialising in long-range hybrid-electric VTOL and STOL aircraft, has collaborated with computational intelligence firm Altair to accelerate the design of scalable, next-generation aircraft.
The flying taxi installation at Charing Cross serves not only as a symbol of the UAE’s innovation but also as an invitation to the global community to explore the dynamic opportunities within the Emirates’ rapidly evolving business landscape.