Located near Dubai International Airport, DXV is the first of four planned vertiports in the city to be granted design acceptance.
The Skyports-run development, in partnership with Joby Aviation and Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), can now continue, with commercial air taxi operations expected to begin from 2026.
Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports, described the approval from the GCAA: “Wias “a key milestone for our flagship DXV facility, bringing us ever closer to launching commercial air taxi operations.”
To achieve GCAA consent, the vertiport specialist had to prove the proposed aviation structure would comply with the requirements outlined in the GCAA’s CAR-HVD Part III.
The requirements specify layout conditions, charging stations, obstacle proximity and Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (RFFS).
Giacomo Sartor, senior vertiport planner at Skyports, said on Linkedin: “Gaining technical design acceptance is a crucial step that ensures our vertiports meet UAE standards for safety, efficiency and compliance.”
Skyports first signed an agreement with Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in February 2024. The 3,100-square-metre DXV facility is expected to be the world’s first permanent commercial vertiport. It is anticipated to handle 42,000 landings and 170,000 passengers annually.
H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA, said: “The GCAA is proud to play a central role in enabling transformative projects, that will redefine urban mobility and set global benchmarks for integrating emerging aviation technologies.”
The four planned vertiports, located in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, Dubai Marina and DXB, are expected to simplify travel between the city’s airports. The air taxi from DXB to Palm Jumeirah is predicted to take 10 minutes compared with the 45-minute drive by car.
As it looks to expand its global presence, Skyports confirmed at the end of December that it is collaborating on the New York City Downtown Manhattan Heliport (DMH) alongside the French airport operator Groupe ADP. Heliport operations are forecasted to start in February 2025 with Skyports and its partners looking to adapt the heliport infrastructure to support sustainable mobility technologies, including charging infrastructure for eVTOL flights.
Image source: Skyports