Developers hold key to success of flying taxis in Dubai: RTA
Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) is planning to hold talks with the largest developers in the emirate to get ready to offer flying taxi services to residents in their communities, a senior government official has said.
Last week, Arabian Business reported Dubai was planning to start commercial operations of pilotless aerial taxis within the next five years, with the first of the trial tests for Volocopter aerial vehicle slated to be held before year-end.
“Eventually, we will have to start discussing with important developers such as Emaar Properties, Dubai Properties and others, to see if these developers are interested in providing these kind of services to their residents,” Ahmed Bahrozyan, chief executive officer, RTA Licensing Agency, and chairman of the smart vehicles committee, told Arabian Business.
“We have to work with them to see what kind of infrastructure (take-off and landing zone) is required in their developments so they can cater for it from now.”
Bahrozyan said the RTA will work with the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to draft a new legislation for aerial vehicles, though at present it sits in a “grey area from aviation perspective”.
While the official did not rule out the possibility of using existing helipads in the city to launch the taxi service, he stressed the focus currently remained on conducting trials successfully.
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