In a significant move towards revolutionizing transportation, Falcon Aviation Services, based in Abu Dhabi, has announced plans to commence trials for its flying taxi service in Al Ain by May 2025. The trials, which will last for 3-4 months, are a critical part of the operator’s long-term strategy, with a target to officially launch air taxi services on January 1, 2026.
Ramandeep Oberoi, CEO of Falcon Aviation Services, revealed the news during the Mebaa 2024 exhibition and conference in Dubai. According to Oberoi, the flying taxi trials will initially take place under the harsh conditions of Al Ain, known for its hot and dusty environment. Following this, the trials will move to Abu Dhabi. “The aircraft is right now being trialled in California,” Oberoi confirmed.
Groundbreaking Partnership and Future Expansion Plans
This announcement comes after Falcon Aviation and Archer Aviation, a US-based electric flying car manufacturer, signed a partnership agreement in March 2024. The collaboration focuses on establishing vertiport infrastructure at key locations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These sites will include the Atlantis, the Palm in Dubai and the Marina Mall heliport in Abu Dhabi’s Corniche, where Archer’s Midnight flying car will operate. The flying cars are designed to travel almost exclusively over water, offering passengers a scenic 30-minute flight between the two cities.
The venture is a part of the UAE’s broader goal to introduce cutting-edge air travel solutions as an alternative to the increasing road congestion. “Initially, flying taxis will be operated within Abu Dhabi, and the aim is to connect Abu Dhabi-Dubai by mid-2026,” Oberoi shared. He further noted plans to connect Dubai with Ras Al Khaimah (for the Wynn Resort project) and extend the network to Al Ain. “We have to create a market, connecting these cities, and we’re fortunate that the road infrastructure in the UAE is also excellent,” he added.
Recruitment Plans and Future Fare Structure
When it comes to recruitment, Oberoi mentioned that the company would adopt a gradual hiring approach. “We are not going to hire too many people. Some people will come from the US who are already working on the project,” he said. “We will have ground operations personnel to handle vertiports, which we already have, and we will expand our engineering staff.”
As for airfares, Falcon Aviation is in ongoing discussions with stakeholders and partners. Oberoi expressed his intention to set the fare for the Abu Dhabi-Dubai route at Dh1,000 per passenger. However, he acknowledged that fares may initially be higher. “The target price should be twice that of a taxi, but not above that. For intra-city flights, Dh300 is the target price,” Oberoi stated. He cautioned, however, that these figures are subject to change, emphasizing that “these numbers are on papers now, but facts can be different.”
A Vision for the Future
The introduction of flying taxis in the UAE represents a bold step towards sustainable air travel and urban mobility, aligning with the country’s vision to lead in innovative transport solutions. With these trials set to begin in May 2025, the UAE is positioning itself as a global leader in the use of electric flying vehicles, paving the way for the future of transportation.
