Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) and Skyports have completed the world’s first commercial vertiport by Dubai International Airport, and it is now ready to handle electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

This is the first of four vertiports in Dubai’s air taxi network to reach completion; initial operations are due to start before the end of this year. It is the network’s flagship vertiport, and will act as the primary hub.

Spanning four floors with a footprint of 3100m², the vertiport integrates the main passenger terminal and central flight operations all under one roof. Featuring two dedicated take-off and landing areas, it is equipped with the latest technologies and infrastructure tailored for eVTOL aircraft. This includes the Joby Aviation developed Global Electric Aviation Charging System (GEACS) fast-charging equipment, the first to ever be fitted at a commercial vertiport. Fast charging is central to operating air taxis at an accessible price, and is essential to the success of Dubai’s future air taxi network. The vertiport can also handle conventional helicopter traffic, using a hybrid regulatory framework developed in partnership with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

With a view to future network expansion and full network use, the vertiport is designed for high-capacity operations, capable of handling up to 170,000 passengers annually and up to 42,000 aircraft movements. The vertiport also provides intermodal connectivity, being directly accessible to the Emirates Metro Station and featuring an integrated multistorey car park.

The end-to-end air taxi passenger experience, which facilitates a rapid passenger turnaround time from arrival to take-off, includes:

• Digital-first booking experience with seats bookable through Joby Aviation’s dedicated booking app
• Automated digital check-in to provide a frictionless passenger experience
• Premium passenger facilities that increase comfort while waiting for flights
• Efficient boarding flows that provide a smooth transition to the take-off and landing areas, reducing passenger wait times

The vertiport will serve as the first and flagship operational node in a broader network that will connect key destinations across Dubai, with further nodes in development at Dubai Marina, Dubai Mall and Palm Jumeirah. The second node, at Dubai Marina, is under construction, with construction at Dubai Mall and Palm Jumeirah set to begin in the coming months.

Joby Aviation continues to advance its flight-testing programme and operational readiness through a schedule of trials and public demonstrations. In June last year, the company completed a series of piloted test flights of its eVTOL air taxi in Margham, validating aircraft performance under local environmental conditions. These trials were conducted with the RTA, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, General Civil Aviation Authority and Dubai Air Navigation Services. The programme also included the first UAE piloted flights between two locations – Margham and Al Maktoum International Airport – alongside daily flight demonstrations at last year’s Dubai Airshow.

“The delivery of the air taxi station by Skyports Infrastructure near Dubai International Airport reflects the qualitative progress made by RTA in advancing a smart and sustainable mobility ecosystem, built on the integration of various transport modes and aligned with global transformations in urban mobility,” saidMattar Al Tayer, director general of the RTA (rta.ae). “This step paves the way for expanding the development of air taxi vertiports across the emirate, ensuring the delivery of advanced air mobility services to residents and visitors, while enhancing connectivity between key areas, business centres and tourist destinations.”

Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports (www.skyports.net), added: “With the world’s first commercial vertiport now being in a technical position to take eVTOL flights, we are seeing aviation history in the making. After years of planning and in-depth design, this new class of infrastructure brings together the latest technologies and innovations that will change how people move around their cities.”

And Anthony El-Khoury, general manager at Joby Aviation (www.jobyaviation.com), said: “The completion of this vertiport by our partners at Skyports Infrastructure marks a major milestone in bringing air taxi service to Dubai. Together with the RTA, we’re proud to celebrate this important step and the progress it represents towards launching operations. We look forward to beginning commercial flights and to delivering fast, quiet and sustainable air travel for Dubai’s residents and visitors.”