Dubai plans to provide 30% of the city with drone delivery services by 2026 and aims to increase this to 70% over the following five years, according to Mohammed Abdulla Lengawi, Director General of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA).
At a press briefing before the Dubai Airshow 2025, Lengawi stated that the initial stage of Dubai’s drone delivery project has commenced in Dubai Silicon Oasis.
“The second phase of the drone delivery system will launch before the Dubai Airshow 2025. By 2026, we’ll cover at least 30% of the emirate. Over the next five years, our goal is to extend coverage to 70% of Dubai. The regulatory framework is fully established. We are currently in the testing phase, and once results are confirmed, we’ll have a remarkable ecosystem for urban air mobility, integrating drone delivery systems and eVTOLs,” he explained.
Stay informed with the latest updates. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) will soon serve as flying taxis in the UAE and other advanced nations starting next year.
As reported earlier by the Khaleej Times in December, the DCAA granted its first drone delivery license to Keeta Drone, allowing the company to deliver medicines and parcels with six drones in the initial phase, beginning at Dubai Silicon Oasis.
Lengawi also confirmed that the development of flying taxis, or eVTOLs, is proceeding as planned.
“We recognize that eVTOLs are the future of urban transport. Our current focus is on establishing a solid regulatory framework. We are in the planning and testing stages, ensuring eVTOLs adhere to all safety and regulatory standards. We are on track to launch air taxi services in Dubai by 2026,” he noted.
He acknowledged that integrating eVTOLs with current commercial air traffic and drone delivery networks poses a complex challenge, yet the city is actively preparing to address it.
“Regulations for eVTOL operations are under development, and we are progressing smoothly towards our 2026 launch goal,” he added.
U.S.-based eVTOL manufacturers Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation will present their air taxi models at the airshow. Both companies are testing flights in the UAE ahead of their intended launches in Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 2026.
Timothy Hawes, Managing Director of Informa – the airshow organizer – stated that the forthcoming airshow will provide an unparalleled glimpse into the future of aviation.
