Dubai's First Air Taxi Station Nears Completion

Dubai's First Air Taxi Station Nears Completion

Dubai has taken another step towards future transportation systems as the construction of the first vertiport for air taxis, a facility for the takeoff and landing of electric aerial vehicles, has reached 60% completion. The facility is being built near Dubai International Airport as part of an ambitious program aiming to introduce electric air taxis by 2026. This transportation revolution will not only transform Dubai's skyline but may also radically change people's mobility habits.

A New Era in Air Transportation Begins

The project is being developed under the supervision of Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), with Skyports Infrastructure carrying out the construction. This is not only Dubai's first vertiport of its kind but also a world-leading example, offering infrastructure for future transportation over an area of 3,100 square meters across four levels. The upper levels will house the takeoff and landing platforms, along with charging stations for the electric aircraft, while the lower levels will be designed for passenger reception and parking.

The vertiport is capable of handling around 42,000 landings per year, enabling the fast and safe transportation of approximately 170,000 passengers. This will not only revolutionize mobility between the airport and the city but also offer a new alternative for rapid transportation for tourists and business travelers.

Vertiports to be Built at Multiple Locations

The vertiport near the airport is only the first element of the new infrastructure that will comprise Dubai's first electric air taxi network. The construction of three additional vertiports will begin in the coming months at key locations: in the parking lot of Zabeel Dubai Mall, on the grounds of the Atlantis The Royal complex on Palm Jumeirah island, and in the Dubai Marina district in the parking lot of the American University in Dubai. These areas are considered among the city's major commercial and tourist hubs.

The chosen locations aim to make the air taxi service accessible to as many residents and visitors as possible. Strategic partnerships involving Emaar Properties, Atlantis The Royal, and Wasl Asset Management Group ensure that the infrastructure is developed in line with the city's growth directions.

First Successful eVTOL Flight Between Two Points

The project's progress is highlighted by the first successful crewed flight of an eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft, which took place between the Dubai Jetman Helipad and Al Maktoum International Airport, with a flight time of approximately 17 minutes. The historic test flight was conducted by Joby Aviation, a leading player in the global electric aviation market.

This event coincided with the Dubai Airshow 2025, clearly signaling that the technology is no longer just a concept but a working reality.

Fast, Quiet, and Green Transportation

The air taxi vehicles are specifically optimized for urban transportation. Thanks to their electric propulsion, they are quieter than traditional helicopters and have a much smaller ecological footprint. Their six rotors and four separate battery packs ensure stable flight, while they can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h. Each vehicle can carry four passengers and one pilot, with a range of up to 160 kilometers.

The RTA aims to integrate all available transportation forms into a single system in the city. Air taxis will connect with metros, trams, buses, and individual mobility devices such as e-scooters and bicycles. This system provides an opportunity for a journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah to be completed in as little as 10 minutes instead of 45 minutes.

Coordinated Work of Multiple Agencies

The launch of the vertiport and air taxi service is realized through the collaboration of multiple agencies. Besides the RTA, the project involves the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS), Skyports Infrastructure, and of course, Joby Aviation. This collaboration ensures that aviation and safety standards will meet international expectations at every point.

What to Expect by 2026?

Commercial operations are planned to start in 2026, but it is already clear that vertiports are not just technological innovations but tools for urban development. Dubai aims to be one of the first metropolises in the world where air taxi service is not an experimental project but a regularly used mode of transportation.

The vertiport developments thus not only represent spectacular architectural projects but are key components of the vision that continues to position Dubai as a global center of innovation and sustainability. The progress of developments, successful test flights, and comprehensive integration plans all demonstrate that the future of urban mobility is not far away—in Dubai, certainly not.

(Based on a press release from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).)