About
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is the Government of Dubai entity responsible for planning, regulating and overseeing all modes of transportation in the Emirate of Dubai. RTA was established under Emiri Decree No. 17 of 2005. The Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors is H.E. Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer.
RTA's role in the Dubai eVTOL programme is the franchise / operator-authority role: it appoints and licenses the air-taxi operator (Joby Aviation, under a six-year exclusivity from commercial launch) and the vertiport developer/operator (Skyports Infrastructure, exclusive). Federal airworthiness certification of the aircraft remains with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA); RTA's mandate covers operations, integration with public transport, fares, route franchising and ground operations within the Emirate.
Connected entities
Routes
- Margham → Al Maktoum International (DWC) · trial-only
- DXB ↔ Palm Jumeirah · planned
- DXB ↔ Dubai Mall · planned
Aircraft
Frequently asked questions
What is RTA Dubai's role in the eVTOL programme?
RTA Dubai is the operator-franchise authority for Dubai's eVTOL programme. RTA appoints the air-taxi operator (Joby Aviation, under a six-year exclusivity from commercial launch) and the vertiport developer/operator (Skyports Infrastructure, exclusive). Airworthiness certification is held by the federal GCAA.
When did RTA Dubai sign the Joby Aviation agreement?
RTA Dubai signed the Definitive Agreement with Joby Aviation in February 2024 at the World Governments Summit in Dubai. The agreement grants Joby exclusive rights to operate air taxis in Dubai for six years from commercial launch.
Who runs RTA Dubai?
RTA Dubai is led by H.E. Mattar Mohammed Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors. RTA was established under Emiri Decree No. 17 of 2005.
When will RTA Dubai launch commercial eVTOL service?
RTA Dubai has stated a target of before end of 2026 for commercial eVTOL service launch, following the technical completion of the DXV vertiport on 16 April 2026 and the first crewed point-to-point flight from Margham to Al Maktoum International Airport on 9 November 2025.
How is RTA Dubai different from GCAA?
RTA Dubai is the local Emirate-level operator-franchise authority covering transport services, fares and ground integration. GCAA is the federal civil aviation regulator covering airworthiness, type certification, vertiport regulations and Air Operator Certificates. The two authorities operate side by side on the eVTOL programme.
Which vertiports has RTA Dubai approved?
RTA Dubai's announced vertiport network covers DXV (Dubai International Airport, technically complete April 2026), Dubai Marina, Dubai Mall, Atlantis the Royal, American University of Dubai, Dubai Downtown and Palm Jumeirah. All are under contract with Skyports Infrastructure.
Sources
- [joby-ir-rta-2024-02] Joby Aviation IR — Joby to Launch Air Taxi Service in UAE (Feb 2024) operator-ir · accessed 2026-05-01
- [skyports-rta-joby-2024-02] Skyports Infrastructure — Skyports, RTA and Joby to launch air taxi service in Dubai (Feb 2024) operator-ir · accessed 2026-05-01
- [skyports-2023-design-approval] Skyports Infrastructure — Design for vertiports approved in Dubai (Feb 2023) operator-ir · accessed 2026-05-01
- [skyports-rta-groundbreak-2024-11] Skyports Infrastructure — Skyports and RTA break ground on first vertiport in Dubai (12 Nov 2024) operator-ir · accessed 2026-05-01
- [rta-mediaoffice-2025-11-16] Dubai Media Office — RTA and Joby Complete First Crewed eVTOL Aerial Taxi Flight (16 Nov 2025) official-news · accessed 2026-05-01
- [joby-2025-06-30] Joby Aviation — Joby Cements Global Lead in Air Taxi Industry with Dubai Flights (Jun 2025) operator-ir · accessed 2026-05-01
- [joby-ir-2025-11-17] Joby Aviation IR — Dubai Air Taxi Network Takes Flight (17 Nov 2025) operator-ir · accessed 2026-05-01
- [skyports-dxv-tech-complete-2026-04] Skyports Infrastructure — DXV reaches technical completion (16 Apr 2026) operator-ir · accessed 2026-05-01
- [volocopter-2017] Volocopter — Volocopter as an Autonomous Air Taxi in Dubai (RTA agreement, 19 Jun 2017) operator-ir · accessed 2026-05-01
Verification flags
- RTA original target was 'as early as 2025' for first operations (per Joby Feb 2024 IR); subsequently aligned to 2026 launch.
- Six-year Joby exclusivity runs from commercial launch (per Joby IR), not from agreement signing.
- No revenue passenger flights have begun as of 1 May 2026.
- GPS approximated to RTA HQ / DXB area (25.2532° N, 55.3657° E) as RTA covers entire emirate.