A new vertiport network is being developed as part of Dubai's future air mobility infrastructure, according to the emirate's ruler, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. At the start of the 2023 World Government Summit, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) announced the decision in conjunction with Skyports Infrastructure and eVTOL aircraft developer Joby Aviation.

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The RTA’s plans call for a vertiport network to be in place to support the launch of air taxi services in 2026. Working with Skyports, the agency has identified sites for vertiports at Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marina. These facilities are expected to provide travelers with easy connections to Dubai’s metro network.

An architectural model of the vertiport planned for Dubai International Airport was shown to a senior Dubai government delegation, including Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Mattar Al Tayer, chairman of the RTA, led the presentation. Aside from being vice president, prime minister, and defense minister, Sheikh Mohammed is also the head of state of the United Arab Emirates.

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Plans for a network of vertiports in Dubai were approved by its ruler, HH Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (second from left), following a presentation at the World Government Summit. 

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“The RTA’s plan for aerial taxis is in line with the Dubai Self-driving Transport Strategy, which aims to make 25 percent of all trips in Dubai driverless by 2030,” said Ahmed Bahrozyan of the Public Transport Agency. “The project aims to roll out a new mobility service driven by pioneering technology to ease the mobility of individuals across urban areas in a safe, smooth, and sustainable manner integrated with the public transport network in Dubai.”

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In December 2022, Canadian infrastructure group VPorts announced plans to develop an advanced air mobility business park n Dubai. Construction at a 37,ooo-sq-m (nine-acre) site is due to start this year with the first part of the facility expected to open in 2024.

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The Atlantis the Palm luxury resort in Dubai will begin offering eVTOL air taxi services in 2026 by Abu Dhabi-based Falcon Aviation. Eve Air Mobility's four-passenger eVTOL aircraft will be purchased by the company for $35 million in June 2022.

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As well as developing vertiports in Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia, Skyports also operates drones.

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