The United Arab Emirates has announced Dubai International Vertiport (DXV) as the country’s first commercial vertiport for flying taxis, marking a significant step towards the future of mobility.
Located near Dubai International Airport, DXV will serve as the designated takeoff, landing, and servicing area for flying taxis.
Dubai’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has approved the DXV’s technical design, making it the first facility to receive such approval under the newly established UAE Vertiport Regulations.
Skyports Infrastructure, in collaboration with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Joby Aviation, will develop the facility as part of the four air taxi infrastructure networks across Dubai, including landing sites at Dubai International Airport, Downtown, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah.
Key Vertiport Features
Spanning 3,100 square meters, DXV will feature electric charging facilities, a dedicated passenger area, security procedures, and an annual capacity to handle 42,000 landings and 170,000 passengers.
The approval process involved a comprehensive assessment of key factors, including physical dimensions, layout, airspace considerations, obstacle environment, and rescue and firefighting services (RFFS). Skyports also demonstrated its firefighting strategy for both battery and traditional fuel fires.
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, GCAA’s Director-General, highlighted that the DXV’s design is set to redefine urban mobility and set global benchmarks for integrating emerging aviation technologies.
This approval allows Skyports to proceed with the development in line with the air taxi project, paving the way for its launch scheduled in 2026.
Moreover, Duncan Walker, CEO at Skyports emphasized GCAA’s role in pioneering the development of critical regulations to enable and scale air taxi operations across the UAE.
Driving the UAE’s Future of Mobility
In a joint statement, Skyports and the GCAA emphasized the significance of the technical design approval in accelerating the country’s regulatory framework.
“The regulations ensure the safe implementation of vertiport infrastructure, a vital component for future air mobility systems.”
This strategic implementation of vertiport infrastructure highlights the UAE’s commitment to advancing the urban mobility landscape and positioning the country as a global leader in innovation while maintaining its world-class safety standards.