Flying taxis may soon ferry passengers above the congested roadways of Dubai

Flying taxis could soon become a reality, as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft edge closer to commercial use in Dubai.

These electrically powered vehicles are capable of hovering, taking off, and landing vertically.

Unlike airplanes and helicopters, eVTOL vehicles offer quick point-to-point personal travel, at least in principle.

They typically look like a gigantic helicopter with drone wings and propellers and could one day ferry passengers over congested urban roads, offering a new form of short-distance air travel within cities.

Dubai plans to have flying cars in its skies as soon as 2026.

“We imagine the airspace as being like a street today,” said Ali Ahmad Al Blooshi, an aviation expert at Dubai Civil Aviation.

Xpeng Aeroht, the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng’s eVTOL subsidiary, recently showcased its new eVTOL, called the Land Aircraft Carrier, in the United Arab Emirates.

Its two-seater EV can be flown with or without a pilot; it’s easy to control and safe to fly, the company said.

“It actually can handle all situations,” said Michael Du, chief financial officer and vice president of Xpeng Aeroht.

“During our R&D [research and development] process, we have made 200 of those and conducted more than 5,000 safety testing flights in extreme heat, high altitude, extreme cold, moist areas,” Du added.

During the test flight, Xpeng also showcased a six-wheel off-road vehicle that can carry the eVTOL, allowing drivers to switch to flight mode. Du also noted that the vehicle makes it easier to store and recharge the eVTOL.

“I think this will make the barrier to flying for people to use it significantly lower,” Du said.

But the eVTOL sector still faces major challenges, such as battery life, air traffic control, and infrastructure issues.

Xpeng says its Land Aircraft Carrier will be available in Dubai in 2027, and that customers in the region have already ordered some 600 vehicles.

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