Image credit: Skyports
The world’s first flying taxi will arrive in Dubai International Vertiport (DXV) in 2026, after the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the UAE’s civil aviation authority, granted Skyports technical design approval for the first commercial vertiport. ) is scheduled to take off from.
The facility’s provisional name, DXV, was chosen due to its proximity to Dubai International Airport (DXB). This is the first of four vertical ports being developed by Skyports in partnership with Dubai Roads and Transport Authority and Joby Aviation.
Vertiport is the first facility to receive design approval under the newly established UAE Vertiport regulations. The GCAA approval allows Skyport to continue developing the DXV facility.
“The approval of the DXV Vertiport design advances the UAE’s leadership in introducing innovative aviation solutions.In line with the country’s leadership’s ambitious vision, we will support the air taxi project, scheduled to begin in 2026. This project embodies our commitment to building safe, secure and future-proof infrastructure,” said Saif Mohamed Al Suwaidi, GCAA Secretary-General.
UAE aviation authorities said design approval for the DXV included a “thorough assessment of critical factors” such as physical dimensions, layout, airspace considerations, obstacle environment, and rescue and fire services. Ta.
The 3,100 square meter facility will accommodate take-off, landing, aircraft charging and parking. Vertiport is designed to handle approximately 42,000 landings and 170,000 passengers per year.
DXV also leverages cutting-edge technology to enable efficient takeoff and landing, ushering in a new era of flying taxis.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, launched Dubai’s first air taxi service in early November. Approved construction of vertiport.
Joby will be responsible for aircraft manufacturing, operation and passenger movement, while RTA will ensure governance and integration with other modes of transport.
Joby applied for a certificate allowing it to carry out commercial air transport in the UAE in September last year. The company has signed an agreement with RTA to launch an all-electric air taxi service in Dubai in February 2024.
The eVTOL aircraft manufacturer’s S4 Aerial Taxi is designed to carry one pilot and four passengers at speeds up to 322 km (200 mph). During rush hour, you can fly from Abu Dhabi to Dubai in 30 minutes, compared to about 2 hours by car.
