E-Paper
Sign In
UAE: Flying taxis to rescue hikers? RAK says noiseless, small aircraft 'can land anywhere'
'To move from Marjan Island all the way up to Jebel Jais requires around 50-55 minutes by car; in an eVTOL, it will take around 15 minutes' said a top official
- PUBLISHED: Tue 24 Jun 2025, 2:25 PM
The introduction of eVTOLS (electric vertical takeoff and landing) or flying taxis, as they are most commonly called, could change the landscape of Ras Al Khaimah significantly, according to experts at a mobility conference.
They stressed the move could impact everything from tourism movement to the way people are rescued.
Recommended For You
“In future, an eVTOL can be used instead of a helicopter for search and rescue operations especially if you have night operations or in rough terrain,” said Abduladhim Sultan Alolama, Aerodrome Operations Inspector at the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). “At the National Crisis Management, we have a dashboard into which we will be building the new vertical of evtols and vertiports.”
Abduladhim was speaking at a panel discussion at the event Mobility Live, which brings together experts from across several modes and disciplines to help shape the future of urban transport.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
“We have Wadi Naqab and Jebel Jais which are two hotspots for hikers,” he said. “We often get requests for rescue from these locations which are currently carried out by helicopters. With these small eVTOL aircrafts, it can land literally anywhere. There's no noise and no powerful wind from the turbines," said Tarek AbdRaboh, Transportation and Strategic Planning Specialist at RAK Transport Authority (RAKTA).
He added that this would be extremely important considering the mountainous nature of the emirate. These factors also make the eVTOLS important for civil defence use and for last-mile delivery options.
Long-term goal is inclusive transport, lower prices
Last year, it was announced that Ras Al Khaimah will get flying taxis starting 2027 and that the emirate signed agreements with Skyports Infrastructure to develop a network of vertiports to connect key attractions across the emirate.
The vertiports will be built in four locations: Ras Al Khaimah international airport, Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra and Jebel Jais.
The idea is to not just make vertiports but to build an entire ecosystem and integrate it with existing public transport methods, according to Farrukh Khan, Manager of Commercial Affairs and Investment at RAK Transport Authority.
“We are trying to build a mobility hub which will cater to different types of needs of transportation,” he said. “Given the unique geography of RAK where we have a shoreline and mountains, introducing a new mobility option will improve the infrastructure but also attract investors to the emirate.”
Tarek explained that it would impact how tourists moved between locations. He said: “To move from the coastal areas of Marjan Island all the way up to Jebel Jais, which is the highest peak in UAE, requires around 50-55 minutes by car. In an eVTOL, it will take a maximum of 15 minutes.”
He added that although initially the trips would be expensive and provide an exclusive experience, the goal is to move towards a more inclusive, sustainable mode of transport. “As technology advances and more players come on to the market, the costs will go down,” he said.
Regulations
Last year, the GCAA finalised new regulations which will allow eVTOL aircrafts to operate from existing heliports — maximising use of current infrastructure.
“We produced the first Notice of Cargo amendment, which is also related to hybrid operation and will allow to operate eVTOL aircraft in the existing helicopters infrastructure,” said Abduladhim. “So, instead of focusing on having a vertiport dedicated for eVTOL, we will be able to operate through the existing heliports in the country.”
First released in December 2024, the amendment will be published by the end of this month. A hybrid operation area is underway in Abu Dhabi in partnership with the company Archer, which will ease the process of having advanced air mobility (AAM) in UAE.
