Vertiport specialist Skyports has signed an agreement with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and all-electric aircraft company Joby Aviation to launch air taxi services in Dubai by 2026.
Endorsed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, Prime Minister and Vice President of the UAE, the agreement gives Skyports exclusive rights to build and operate vertiports in Dubai. The deal marks the first time globally that a transport authority, vertiport operator, aircraft manufacturer and relevant regulatory bodies, including the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) have collaborated to enable Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).
The agreement (which was signed ahead of the World Government Summit in Dubai on 11 February) also means that the UAE’s GCAA is the first national aviation authority in the world to issue regulations for air taxis and vertiports.
While the deal will see Skyports design, construct, own and operate vertiports to provide critical take-off and landing infrastructure at key locations across Dubai, RTA will oversee and regulate AAM services and Joby will manufacture, certify and operate eVTOL air taxis in the Emirate.
His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the GCAA, said: “The UAE’s transport sector has taken a big leap forward at the regional and global levels by announcing the launch of the pioneering air taxi project. It is set to bring about an unprecedented transformation in the country’s urban transport landscape.”
He also noted that the Authority worked in cooperation with its partners to formulate the national regulatory framework required for the implementing of this pioneering project and that by issuing regulations for air taxis and vertiports, it is the first national aviation authority to do so in the world. A move he said, “lays the foundation for the future infrastructure of the air transport system in urban areas… and that will also create new investment opportunities in air transport infrastructure and smart transport in our cities.”
Reiterating that the agreement marks a significant step towards the launch of commercial air taxi services in Dubai, Duncan Walker, Skyports CEO and Founder said: “The industry has never been closer to making it a reality.”
He also noted that: “This agreement brings together the key enablers of AAM: strong, innovative local leadership; a world-leading aircraft partner; and critical ground infrastructure integrated with the Emirate’s existing transportation networks.”
With the agreement signed, he added, “Now begins the exciting part: designing and building our vertiports.”
Four vertiports will be built initially in line with the agreement and will be located by Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown and Dubai Marina. Flights between Skyports’ vertiports will reduce journey times significantly, with a typical journey from DXB to Palm Jumeirah expected to take 10 minutes by air taxi compared with 45 minutes by car.
In preparation for the construction of the vertiports, detailed studies have been completed at all four initial locations and architectural design has commenced for the first phase of development. Vertiport certification and approval process has begun with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Dubai Air Navigation Services (dans) and other government stakeholders.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors for RTA, added: “The Dubai air taxi initiative is part of RTA’s efforts to embrace future transportation technologies and enable fast, safe and convenient travel to key city spots. Skyports’ vertiports will stand out for their innovative design, which facilitates seamless multimodal transportation and improves citywide connectivity, ensuring a smooth travel experience for passengers.”
Meanwhile, JoeBen Bevirt, CEO and Founder, Joby Aviation said: “The landmark agreement delivers on all three ingredients required to successfully launch an air taxi service – a definitive path to operations, well-placed infrastructure supported by dedicated partners, and an aircraft with the capacity and range to deliver meaningful journeys.”
