Dubai to Showcase Flying Taxis and Driverless Cars at 2026 Global Transport Summit
Dubai is gearing up to host the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) Global Public Transport Summit from April 21–23, 2026, at the Dubai World Trade Centre, where flying taxis, driverless cars, and other autonomous mobility innovations are set to take centre stage.
Announced by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), the event will focus on creating “a sustainable, smart, and people-centred public transport system,” reinforcing Dubai’s status as a global leader in urban mobility and innovation.
Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency and Chairman of the UITP Global Summit Organising Committee, said the emirate’s ambition is to showcase the future of transportation.
“The ambition is there, and we are going to have air taxi services soon,” Bahrozyan noted. “These technologies are no longer futuristic because we already have them now. Our aim is to lead by example, learn along the way, and pave the path for other cities to follow.”
Dubai is set to become one of the first cities in the world to integrate flying taxis and driverless vehicles into its transport network. While RTA has not yet confirmed if delegates will experience these vehicles firsthand during the summit, Bahrozyan emphasized that Dubai’s role is to carve the path for future mobility solutions through innovation and collaboration.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of RTA’s Board of Executive Directors, said:
“Dubai’s hosting of the UITP Public Transport Summit 2026 underscores our efforts to shape the future of mobility and build a sustainable, smart, and people-focused public transport system.”
The city’s sustained investment in mobility has already yielded strong results — public transport’s share of overall mobility increased from just 6% in 2006 to 21.6% in 2024, thanks to the expansion of the Metro, Tram, and electric bus networks.
Mohamed Mezghani, Secretary-General of UITP, highlighted Dubai’s progress, saying:
“Next year will mark 15 years since Dubai last hosted the UITP Summit in 2011. Even then, the city was already advanced in urban mobility. Since that time, Dubai’s transport system has evolved remarkably, making it a model for cities worldwide.”
The 2026 UITP Summit will make Dubai the first city outside Europe to host the event in its new format, further cementing the emirate’s reputation as a global innovation hub for sustainable and intelligent mobility.
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