Dubai has approved construction of its first aerial vertiport, near Dubai International Airport. This is a major step in becoming the first city that offers urban aerial transport. The vertiport is designed to blend seamlessly into Dubai’s skyline. It will offer passengers a unique and comfortable aerial travel experience.
According to a release, the project has been approved by the Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and The Executive Council.
The vertiport is 3,100 square meters in size and will include dedicated take-offs and landings, aircraft charging stations and parking areas. It can accommodate up to 42,000 landings annually and 170,000 passengers.
Built to meet the highest safety standards in the world, this air-conditioned facility is a collaboration between international partners. Joby Aviation will be responsible for aircraft production and operations and Skyports will oversee vertiport design and management. The Roads and Transport Authority of Dubai (RTA), which is responsible for the project, will oversee it and integrate it into other transit systems. The service will launch in early 2020.
The Joby S4 model aerial taxi is an electric vehicle that emits zero emissions and can take off and land vertically. With six rotors, four battery packs and a top speed of 321km/h, it can travel as far as 161km. The taxi, which is designed for four passengers and a pilot to fly, operates at significantly lower noise levels than helicopters.
The Nature Emirate will be one of the first vertiport network to launch in the world thanks to the UAE’s world-class electric air mobility infrastructure. The network will connect major tourist attractions such as Al Marjan Island and Jebel Jamis, the UAE’s highest peak. The vertiport system not only improves accessibility, but also helps Ras Al Khaimah achieve its goal of attracting 3.5 millions visitors annually by 2030.
Mattar Al Tayer said that the first phase would focus on four key locations. This will provide residents and visitors in Dubai with a safe, fast, and integrated transportation solution. He said that the project is in line with Dubai’s vision for multimodal connectivity and will provide easy access to other modes of transport, such as e-scooters, bicycles and public transport.
RTA signed a contract to launch the aerial taxi with the General Civil Aviation Authority. (GCAA), Dubai Civil Aviation Authority. (DCAA), Skyports Infrastructure – a UK leader in advanced aerial mobility and infrastructure development – and Joby Aviation – a US specialist in aerial vehicles.
