The construction of Dubai's first aerial taxi vertiport, located near Dubai International Airport, has been approved. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, endorsed the initiative. The vertiport's sleek, modern design will blend seamlessly with Dubai's urban landscape, offering passengers a unique and efficient mobility experience. Covering 3,100 square meters, the vertiport will feature zones for take-off and landing, aircraft charging, a dedicated aerial taxi apron, and parking facilities. With an annual capacity of approximately 42,000 landings, it is expected to serve around 170,000 passengers each year. Upon arriving at RTA headquarters, Sheikh Hamdan was welcomed by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, senior RTA officials, JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, and Damien Kisly, Head of Infrastructure EMEA at SkyPorts, the company responsible for designing and constructing the vertiport's infrastructure. Sheikh Hamdan attended a presentation on the vertiport's contemporary design, which reflects Dubai's renowned urban aesthetic and provides passengers with an air-conditioned, comfortable, and globally certified travel experience. Joby Aviation will manage aircraft manufacturing and operations, while Skyports handles the vertiport's design, construction, and infrastructure operations. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will oversee governance and integration with other transport modes, with the aerial taxi service expected to launch in Q1 2026. The Joby S4 aerial taxi, an eco-friendly electric vehicle with vertical take-off and landing capabilities, will operate with zero emissions. Equipped with six rotors and four battery packs, the aerial taxi can cover distances up to 161 kilometers at a top speed of 321 km/h, offering a quieter alternative to traditional helicopters with a capacity for four passengers plus a pilot. Mattar Al Tayer elaborated: "In the initial phase, the aerial taxi service will operate from four key locations—Dubai International Airport, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah. This service will provide Dubai residents and visitors with a rapid, secure option connecting major city landmarks. For example, a trip from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah is projected to take around 12 minutes, compared to 45 minutes by car. The service also integrates with public transport and personal mobility options like e-scooters and bicycles, promoting multimodal connectivity across Dubai." Earlier this year, RTA signed an agreement to launch the aerial taxi service with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Skyports Infrastructure, a UK-based leader in advanced aerial mobility infrastructure, and Joby Aviation, a US-based aerial vehicle specialist. — WAM
