Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with vertiports infrastructure specialist, Skyports, for electric air taxi services.
Marking the beginning of an exciting partnership that will pioneer sustainable tourism through electric air mobility, this pivotal MoU will see Skyports develop a network of vertiports to connect key attractions across Ras Al Khaimah, propelling the Emirate as a destination of the future and aligning with RAKTA’s Strategic Plan 2030.
Under the agreement, RAKTA, RAKTDA and Skyports will collaboratively design, develop and operate Ras Al Khaimah’s first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVOTL) air taxi ecosystem, with commercial operations set to commence by 2027. The project will integrate Skyports’ vertiport infrastructure with RAKTA’s existing transport network, providing fast and convenient zero-emission transport to Ras Al Khaimah’s most popular areas and attractions, including Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra and Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest peak. Tourists and residents visiting these locations will experience substantial time savings from the service. For example, travelling from Al Marjan Island to Jebel Jais takes around 70 minutes by car. The journey by air taxi will take less than 20 minutes.
Commenting on the MoU, Duncan Walker, CEO and Founder of Skyports said: “We are eager to join forces with the leading transport and tourism organisations in Ras Al Khaimah to launch electric air taxi services in the Emirate. This collaboration further underscores our commitment to providing the essential enabling infrastructure for zero-emission aviation across the UAE.”
H.E Raki Phillips, CEO of RAKTDA added: ” The support we’ve received from the UAE government and Ras Al Khaimah authorities has been phenomenal, enabling us to innovate at an unprecedented scale and pace. In the next two years, we aim to build the infrastructure and facilities for an electric-powered transit system that will redefine the way tourists experience Ras Al Khaimah. This collaboration also perfectly aligns with our commitment to sustainable tourism. By introducing electric air mobility, we not only enhance accessibility to Ras Al Khaimah’s attractions but also significantly reduce our carbon footprint. This initiative drives us closer to our goal of establishing Ras Al Khaimah as a regional leader in sustainable tourism by 2025.”
