Middle East: “RAKTA, Joby, Skyports Collaborate Via MOU, to Launch Air Taxi Service in Ras Al Khaimah by 2027”
The Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA), Joby Aviation and Skyports Infrastructure announced this week the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for a long-term collaboration to launch a passenger air taxi service network in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) by 2027, reports a press release.
The signing occurred in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the UAE Supreme Council and Ruler of UAE’s Ras Al Khaimah.
The release explains, “Aligned with RAK’s 2030 Mobility Master Plan, the new service will meet growing demand for fast and convenient transport in Ras Al Khaimah and throughout the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In addition, it will establish an inter-emirate corridor, connecting Joby’s planned service in Dubai to landmark hospitality developments in RAK.”
It continues, “This includes Al Marjan Island, where the new Wynn Al Marjan is set to open in 2027, and Jebel Jais, UAE’s highest peak. Al Marjan Island is centrally located to multi-modal ground transportation and will be home to the first vertiport, with additional vertiport locations following as part of a phased development approach.”
H.E Esmaeel Hasan Alblooshi, RAKTA Director General, commented, “This partnership reflects our vision to shape the future of mobility by integrating advanced transport solutions within its urban and tourism ecosystem.”
He continued, “This step is an extension of Ras Al Khaimah’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan 2030, which focuses on innovation, sustainability and the integration of transport modes.”
At the signing of the MOU
For travellers and commuters, electric air taxis will mean a dramatic reduction in travel times. For example, the journey from Dubai International Airport to Al Marjan Island, which can take well over an hour by car, could be less than 15 minutes in Joby’s air taxi after flying a direct path at a top speed of 200 mph.
JoeBen Bevirt, CEO and Founder, added, “Our work to deploy an air taxi service in the UAE is becoming a model for how advanced air mobility can reshape transportation systems globally. By bringing together the aircraft, the infrastructure and the regulator from day one, we are creating a clearly defined path to accelerate the launch of a commercial service.”
The collaboration is part of Joby’s increasing presence in the Middle East including progress towards carrying its first passengers in Dubai next year.
Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports, remarked, “Following our MOU with RAKTA in May 2024 to establish the foundations for a vertiport network in RAK, we’re excited to see the project move to the next tangible phase of development with Joby as the aircraft OEM and service launch partner.”
He added, “With the strong progress Skyports is currently making on the Dubai Vertiport Network in partnership with Joby, we are best placed to deliver air taxi services to RAK by 2027.”
Background
Ras Al Khaimah is the fourth largest Emirate in the UAE with one third of the world’s population within four hours’ flying time. RAK is viewed as a gateway to the UAE, Middle East, Africa, India and beyond.
A coastal area of Ras Al Khaimah
The region offers a business-friendly environment with simplified customisable services, low operating costs, 100 percent foreign ownership, zero personal income tax and one of the world’s lowest corporate tax rates. It is home to over 50,000 companies.
RAK has a multicultural society of 0.4 million people from 150 countries, offering a high quality of life, accessible luxury living, and a serene coastal lifestyle.
RAKTA was established by Emiri Decree No. (1) in 2008 and is the government entity responsible for regulating and overseeing all modes of transportation within the Emirate. Its mandate includes planning infrastructure, licensing transport activities and operating public transport.
For more information
(Top image: Joby Aviation)
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