Dubai is set to lead the future of urban transport once again. The 2026 Public Transport Summit, hosted by the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), will take place from April 21 to 23, 2026, at Dubai World Trade Centre.
This global summit will focus on building “a sustainable, smart, and people-centred public transport system,” according to RTA officials. The event will highlight Dubai’s latest ambitions, including flying taxis and self-driving vehicles.
Flying Taxis and Driverless Cars No Longer Feel Futuristic
Flying taxis will take center stage at the 2026 Public Transport Summit as Dubai prepares to launch air mobility services. The RTA has not confirmed if delegates will ride in flying taxis during the event. However, displays and demos are expected.
Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of RTA’s Public Transport Agency and summit organising committee chairman, said the ambition is strong.
“The ambition is there, and we are going to have air taxi services soon,” Bahrozyan shared. “These flying taxis and autonomous cars are no longer futuristic. We already have them now,” he added.
Bahrozyan said Dubai aims to lead the mobility revolution and help shape global transport solutions.
A Platform for Global Dialogue and Transport Innovation
The 2026 Public Transport Summit will bring together global experts, policy makers, and innovators in one place. It will serve as a platform for exchanging ideas, forming partnerships, and developing next-generation public transport systems.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of RTA’s Board, said hosting the summit reflects Dubai’s long-term commitment.
“Dubai’s hosting of the UITP Public Transport Summit 2026 reflects our efforts to shape the future of mobility,” he said.
Al Tayer noted that Dubai’s public transport share increased from 6% in 2006 to 21.6% in 2024. He praised the RTA-UITP partnership, which began shortly after RTA’s founding in 2005.
A Global Milestone for Dubai and UITP
Dubai previously hosted the UITP summit in 2011. Now, it becomes the first city outside Europe to host the summit’s new format. UITP Secretary-General Mohamed Mezghani said he is eager to return to Dubai.
“Even in 2011, Dubai was already highly advanced in urban mobility,” Mezghani noted. “Since then, the city has achieved remarkable progress in transport innovation. I look forward to seeing what awaits us.”
He added that delegates will experience firsthand the mobility solutions Dubai has developed since the last summit.
Conclusion
Dubai is raising the bar once again. The 2026 Public Transport Summit will spotlight flying taxis, autonomous vehicles, and smart mobility. This is more than a global event. It is a bold step toward redefining how cities move.
Are you ready for a ride in the sky? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Keep reading the Arabwheels Blog for more on Dubai’s transport transformation.