Ras Al Khaimah wants tourists to get around to its attractions in flying taxi. —AFP
Located next to the Sultanate of Oman and Dubai, the small emirate of Ras Al Khaimah plans to offer an electric air taxi service from 2027 to take tourists to its main tourist attractions, such as Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the United Arab Emirates.
Wadi Bih, the largest canyon in the UAE, Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Queen of Sheba’s Palace, Dhayah Fort are some of the must-see sights in the small emirate that is increasingly making a name for itself, giving some competition to its more famous neighbours Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Ras Al Khaimah’s investment in tourism is likely to get even more attention as the small emirate has unveiled a plan to transport visitors to tourist sites in electric flying taxis.
Ras Al Khaimah’s tourism development and transport authorities have signed a partnership agreement with Skyports Infrastructure, a company that designs and operates vertiports for electric air taxis, in collaboration with manufacturers of electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOL).
The aim is to provide “fast and convenient zero-emission transport” to the island of Al Marjan and Jebel Jais, the highest peak in the UAE. Service is set to start in 2027. One big advantage, of course, is shorter travel times. Between the island of Al Marjan and Jebel Jais, the journey takes at least 70 minutes by car, whereas with an electric air taxi, the journey will take just 20 minutes. But time saving is not the only reason for this project.
Still relatively under the radar as a tourist destination, Ras Al Khaimah is actively working to change that and become a key stopping point in the UAE, with the goal of welcoming 3.5 million visitors by 2030. And to set itself apart from its more famous neighbors, as well as from the large-scale projects Saudi Arabia has in the works, the small emirate wedged wants to demonstrate that building up more tourist activity is not incompatible with responsible environmental actions, provided that sustainable solutions are thought through.
“This partnership marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to revolutionise transportation in Ras Al Khaimah. By introducing electric air mobility, we’re not just connecting tourists to our attractions, we’re forging a sustainable path forward for our Emirate. This innovative project aligns perfectly with our commitment to enhancing accessibility while minimising our environmental impact.... Together, we’re shaping a brighter, greener future for Ras Al Khaimah,” explains Esmaeel Hasan Al Blooshi, director-general of the Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority. – AFP Relaxnews
