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Dubai vertiport reaches completion for future air taxi launch
The first of four vertiports in Dubai’s air taxi network has reached its completion milestone with initial operations targeted to commence before end of 2026.
At a glance
Who: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA); Skyports Infrastructure.
What: RTA and Skyports have announced the technical completion of a commercial vertiport, situated by Dubai International Airport.
Why: To handle electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and become the primary hub for operations.
When: Initial eVTOL operations are targeted to commence before end of 2026.
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports) have announced the technical completion of what they claim is the world’s first commercial vertiport, situated by Dubai International Airport.
The vertiport is ready to handle electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft with initial operations targeted to commence before end of 2026. The first node in Dubai’s air taxi network, it is the network’s flagship vertiport and will act as the primary hub.
Tailored for eVTOL aircraft
Spanning four floors with a footprint of 3,100m², 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 specifically 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.
“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”
The partners report that ultra-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 pioneering hybrid regulatory framework developed in partnership with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
With a view to future network expansion and full network utilisation the vertiport is designed for high-capacity operations, capable of handling up to 170,000 passengers annually and up to 42,000 aircraft movements. According to Skyports, the vertiport also provides excellent intermodal connectivity, being directly accessible to the Emirates Metro Station and featuring an integrated multistorey car park.
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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 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 currently under construction, with construction at Dubai Mall and Palm Jumeirah set to begin in the coming months.
The trials were conducted in collaboration 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 the Dubai Airshow 2025.
”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”
“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,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director general, chairman of the board of executive directors, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority.
“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, Skyports Infrastructure, said: “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.”
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