UAE residents concerned about traffic are optimistic about flying taxis
XPeng’s aviation affiliate recently tested out their flying taxis in Dubai, opening up the way for the future of mobility and transportation. YouGov’s latest research reveals consumers’ attitudes towards flying taxis and their willingness to try this new mode of transport.
YouGov data shows 65% of UAE residents agree that traffic is a major concern in their city, while 13% of residents disagree with this view and 22% are unsure. Among the various cities in the country, residents of Dubai were most likely to say traffic in their city is a major concern for them at 73%.
Similarly, among the various demographic groups, females and working individuals were most likely to mirror this sentiment and find the traffic problem in their city worrisome. The data shows that those finding traffic concerns are more likely to have a positive view about flying taxis than those who do not find it a problem.
Seventy eight percent of UAE residents who think traffic in their city is a major concern feel flying taxis is a good option to control city traffic. Furthermore, 78% think flying taxis will provide mobility solutions and relieve traffic congestion.
However, 77% believe this mode of transport will only help a certain section of society and may not be for everyone. Not only do they have a positive perception of flying taxis, they are also more likely to avail these services in the future.
Seventy percent among those who consider traffic in their city a major concern said they are very or somewhat likely to take a flying taxi, as compared to 58% of those who do not think traffic is a problem.
When it comes to safety, UAE residents show favourable attitudes towards the recently launched flying taxis and feel they are extremely or somewhat safe (51%), but some of them (15%) feel the opposite.
Young adults between 25 and 34 years are most likely to consider them safe (at 59%) while the youngest group of respondents (18–24 years) were more likely than others to say they are unsafe (at 24%).
Similar attitudes were seen in Saudi Arabia, where the majority (57%) agree traffic is a major concern in their city but less than those in the UAE who think the same. Saudi residents are as likely as UAE residents to consider flying taxis a safe option and are equally likely to take this mode of transport in the future.
Data was collected online among 2008 UAE & Saudi residents in November 2022 by YouGov’s Omnibus using its panel of over 20 million people worldwide.
Last month, Dubai International Chamber hosted the world’s first public flight of China’s XPeng X2 eVTOL flying car at Skydive Dubai, completing a historic 90-second test flight and supported by Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism and Dubai World Trade Centre Authority.
