Hyperloop to transit passengers between Dubai's airports in six minutes

The journey between Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport ordinarily takes between 45 minutes

Attendees walk past a Virgin Hyperloop One XP-1 pod outside at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2018. Electric and driverless cars will remain a big part of this year's CES, as makers of high-tech cameras, batteries, and AI software vie to climb into automakers' dashboards. Photographer: Patrick T. Fallon/Bloomberg
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Plans to build a high-speed transport connection between Dubai’s two airports will reduce travel time to less than 10 minutes.

The journey between Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport ordinarily takes between 45 minutes and an hour by car, depending on traffic. But a Hyperloop transit system would slash travel time to just six or seven minutes, making the journey shorter than the time it takes to move between terminals at Dubai International Airport.

Speaking at Arabian Travel Market on Monday, panellists discussed the future of Hyperloop and travel infrastructure in the UAE and GCC.

"Looking to the future, having both Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) as key stations on the Hyperloop system is essential,” said Michael Ibbitson, Executive Vice President of Infrastructure and Technology Dubai Airports.

“At present, Emirates only operates from Dubai International Airport but the implementation of a Hyperloop system between both airports could allow the airline to effectively and efficiently work from both hubs.”

Virgin Hyperloop One, a DP World-backed company developing the futuristic transportation concept inspired by Elon Musk, is a futuristic transportation concept through which pods, propelled by magnets and solar, will move passengers and cargo at speeds of 1,200kph.

Hyperloop One has the potential to transport approximately 3,400 people an hour, 128,000 people a day and 24 million people a year, reported state news agency Wam.

In November 2016, Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) announced plans to evaluate a Hyperloop connection between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which could reduce travel times between the two emirates to just 15 minutes.

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