UAE charts 'high-flying' future for urban mobility

Commuters in the United Arab Emirates may soon have a futuristic option to escape congestion: flying taxis. The innovation marks the country's latest bid to ease pressure on ground transportation and offer travelers a faster alternative.

On Monday in Dubai, California-based Joby Aviation, in partnership with Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority, conducted the inaugural test flight of the Joby Aerial Taxi, an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, the Emirates News Agency reported.

The aircraft boasts a range of up to 160 kilometers and a top speed of 320 km per hour. Joby Aviation estimates that a journey from Dubai International Airport to the iconic Palm Jumeirah islands will take just 12 minutes by air taxi — compared with the typical 45-minute car trip.