Thursday 6 , November 2025

His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, witnessed the signing of a strategic MoU between Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority, the American company Joby Aviation, a global leader in developing the Electric Helicopters, and the British company Skyports Infrastructure, a specialist in providing infrastructure for advanced air transport industry. The MoU aims to design, develop, and launch the first air taxi service in Ras Al Khaimah by 2027. The event took place in Saqr bin Mohamed City, where His Highness received, at his palace, JoeBen Bevirt, CEO and founder of Joby Aviation, and Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports. Also, Eng. Esmaeel Hassan Alblooshi, Director-General of Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA), and Acting Director-General of the Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al-Khaimah, along with a number of senior officials attended the event. H.H. Sheikh Saud affirmed that this initiative embodies the UAE’s vision for shaping the future through embracing innovative and sustainable mobility solutions. His Highness also added that launching air taxi in Ras Al Khaimah is not only a transport project, but an investment in people’s quality of life and further strengthening Ras Al Khaimah’s position as a global destination for living, working, tourism and investment. H.H. reaffirmed that the project represents a transformative leap that links our ambitious present to our bright future, as well as turning aspirations into achievements that will endure for generations to come. Sheikh Saud said, “Driven by our ambition and clear vision we, in Ras Al Khaimah, strive to be active partners in shaping the air transport system in UAE to ensure more sustainable cities and smarter transport systems, as well as strengthening our position as a leader hub that own economic growth and innovation”. The MoU which has been signed by Eng. Esmaeel Hassan Alblooshi, JoeBen Bevirt, Duncan Walker, contains the establishing of an air corridor between Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai. The corridor will also cover the emirate’s premier tourism destinations including Al Marjan Island. As part of the project's first phase, the island will host the first “vertiport “ station– a specialized station for the vertical takeoff and landing of small electric aircraft (eVTOL), such as air taxis – with the project later expanding to include Jebel Jais and a number of prominent tourist landmarks. Such service shall achieve a revolutionary leap in transport sector. For example, the initiative will decrease the time spent in a journey from Dubai International Airport to Al Marjan Island, to be less than 15 minutes in Joby’s air taxi “eVTOL” with a top speed of 321 kph (200 mph) and ability to transport a pilot and up to four passengers with minimal noise and zero operating emissions. This initiative culminates the ongoing efforts to launch Dubai air taxi in 2026, making Ras Al Khaimah the UAE’s second emirate in Jobi’s growing regional network. This will establish UAE’s status as a global destination for future shaping and smart mobility systems. In 2024 RAKTA signed a MoU with Skyports to develop vertiport’s station network to link the emirate’s premier tourist destinations. This paved the way for developing an integrated urban air transport system that aligns with RAK’s 2030 Vision. With this tripartite partnership, Ras Al Khaimah manifests itself as a key partner in shaping the future of air transport in the UAE, and as a leading platform for adopting innovative solutions that shape more sustainable cities and enhance the quality of life for future generations.