Skyports Vertiport Designs Approved in Dubai

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

Advanced air mobility (AAM) vertiport infrastructure leader Skyports Infrastructure has had the development of its vertiport designs for Dubai approved by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

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The design was presented by Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Skyports Infrastructure and Joby Aviation at a closed presentation held before the World Government Summit 2023.

The presentation showcased the RTA and Skyports Infrastructure’s roadmap for the development of Dubai’s vertiport network by 2026, and featured a look at how future vertiport infrastructure may integrate with existing transportation, such as the RTA’s Dubai Metro network and Dubai International Airport.

Four potential vertiport sites near Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown and Dubai Marina were shown to a senior delegation that included His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. These first locations will bridge four of Dubai’s most bustling locations, granting high-speed, zero-emissions connectivity.

RTA Chairman His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer presented an architectural model of Skyports’ Dubai International Airport vertiport to the special delegation. Joby Aviation also joined RTA and Skyports Infrastructure at the World Government Summit to advocate for the opportunities granted by aerial mobility in Dubai.

“We are honoured to have received such strong endorsement of our Dubai vertiport vision from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed,” said Skyports CEO Duncan Walker. “The appetite for technology innovation and infrastructure expansion in Dubai makes it a hugely promising environment for the launch of advanced air mobility. We’re excited to continue working with the RTA to make our joint vision of an integrated vertiport network a reality in 2026.”

“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, CEO of The Public Transport Agency at RTA. “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. The service is set to be operational by 2026.

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Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.