Exclusive and Shared Electric Flying Taxis: Evidence on Modal Shares, Stated Reasons, and Modal Shifts

TL;DR

This study investigates traveler preferences for electric flying taxis in the UAE, revealing how service type, travel conditions, and trip purpose influence modal shares and potential shifts from ground taxis.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence on preferences for shared versus exclusive flying taxis and identifies key factors affecting modal shares and shifts.

Findings

Flying taxis account for 22.6% of responses, higher during congestion.

Shared flying taxis have higher modal shares and responsiveness to conditions.

Ground taxi users are most likely to switch to shared flying taxis under cost increases.

Abstract

This study examines travelers' preferences for electric flying taxi services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) under varying travel conditions and service configurations. A stated preference (SP) survey of 213 respondents was conducted to analyze behavior across multiple transport alternatives, including private vehicles, public transport, ground taxis, and both shared and exclusive flying taxi services. The analysis considered key attributes such as travel time and cost, along with contextual factors including travel distance, congestion conditions, day of travel, and trip purpose. In addition, follow-up questions were used to capture the underlying reasons for mode choice and to assess potential modal shifts under changes in travel conditions. The results show that flying taxi services account for 22.6% of total responses, with higher shares under congested conditions and declining shares as travel distance increases. Clear differences are observed between shared and exclusive services. Shared flying taxis achieve higher modal shares and exhibit greater responsiveness to travel conditions, particularly at moderate distances, during weekdays, and for leisure trips. In contrast, exclusive flying taxis maintain lower modal shares, decline with increasing travel distance, and are more associated with business and weekend travel. The modal shift analysis further indicates that ground taxi users exhibit the highest propensity to switch to shared flying taxi services, particularly under cost increases. These findings highlight the importance of pricing and service design in promoting the adoption of shared flying taxi services as a more sustainable mobility option. In particular, maintaining affordable shared services, ensuring clear price differentiation from exclusive services, and prioritizing deployment in congested corridors and medium-distance travel markets can enhance adoption.