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Doha’s First Pilotless Air Taxi Flight Just Took Off
Doha just took a big step into the future of transport. The Ministry of Transport, led by HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulla bin Mohammed Al Thani, oversaw Qatar’s first urban passenger flight using an unmanned eVTOL air taxi. The test ran between Old Doha Port and Katara Cultural Village. It used no pilot on board and no direct human control during the flight.
This was not a distant lab experiment. Instead, it was a real test in real Doha airspace, showing how air taxis could one day fit into daily city life.
Turning a concept into a real test flight
This trial is part of a wider series of tests that the Ministry of Transport is supervising. These tests look at how unmanned air taxis might work in a normal urban setting.
In this flight, the eVTOL took off from Old Doha Port and landed at Katara Cultural Village. It used a full self-control system. AI and advanced air navigation technologies managed the route, height, and landing. So, the aircraft completed the journey without any direct human interference.
The successful trial showed that the system can use airspace in an efficient and safe way. It proved that the technology can operate over a city, not just in theory but in practice.
How this fits into Qatar’s long-term vision
The pilotless air taxi project will move forward in several phases. Each phase will review key needs such as infrastructure, operations, and safety. This way, every step checks if the system is ready for real passengers.
HE the Minister described the trial as a new milestone in Qatar’s path toward smart and sustainable mobility. It supports the MOT Strategy 2025–2030, which aims to build a smart and resilient transport system. In this strategy, sustainability, innovation, and links between different transport modes all work together.
This project also supports the goals of NDS3 and Qatar National Vision 2030. It helps reduce carbon emissions and improve quality of life for people living in or visiting Qatar.
What this could mean for everyday life in Doha
The Ministry of Transport will now keep assessing the test results. At the same time, it will build the regulatory and technical frameworks needed to approve and operate this type of mobility. This includes safety rules, security standards, and quality checks.
The Ministry also plans to work with leading global companies. Together, they will develop infrastructure that can host advanced transport modes in the coming years. As a result, air taxis could one day sit alongside buses, metros, and roads as part of a wider network.
In simple terms, unmanned eVTOL air taxis are being designed as a safe, fast, and eco-friendly way to move around Doha. They could help ease traffic, add new options for getting around, and give citizens, residents, and visitors more smart mobility choices.
In the end, this trial shows how Qatar is letting the future of transport lift off above the city, with technology and governance moving forward side by side.
Read next: Qatar Ranks 4th In The Arab World For Longest Work Weeks
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