Dubai has announced the successful completion of the first purpose-built electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air taxi station, in a strategic leap in the emirate’s journey towards urban mobility future, reported Wam.
A first of its kind globally, the station serves as the main hub for air taxi operations in the city. It is being delivered by Skyports Infrastructure, a company specialised in developing infrastructure for advanced air mobility. A four-storey building, the station features a two-level car park, two air taxi take-off and landing pads as well as dedicated charging infrastructure for air taxi vehicles, and climate-controlled passenger facilities with a capacity to serve up to 170,000 passengers annually.
According to senior Dubai officials, the station has been developed in line with high international safety standards.
Skyports Infrastructure is responsible for the design, development, and operation of the station infrastructure, while Joby Aviation, developer of the electric Air Taxi, oversees aircraft manufacturing and operations, including passenger management. Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will oversee governance of operations and ensure integration with the wider transport network.
"We remain committed to developing an integrated, multi-level transport ecosystem based on advanced technologies, while expanding options for residents and visitors across the emirate in ways that enhance quality of life and improve overall efficiency," remarked Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.
"The launch of the air taxi infrastructure marks an important step in adopting new, sustainable modes of transport and strengthening Dubai’s readiness for the decades ahead," he stated, while reviewing progress at the eVTOL air taxi facility.
"We are moving forward in translating vision into practical reality, further strengthening Dubai’s position as a global testbed for innovation and the deployment of advanced solutions, enhancing its competitiveness and reinforcing its role in shaping the cities of the future," he added.
Accompanying Sheikh Hamdan on the visit was Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group.
Upon arrival at the station site, Sheikh Hamdan was received by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, Mohammed Abdulla Lengawi, the Director-General of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority; Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports Infrastructure, and Anthony El Khoury, General Manager of Joby Aviation.
Al Tayer said the completion of the station, coinciding with the RTA’s participation in World Public Transport Day, marks an important step towards the launch of Air Taxi services.
"It reflects Dubai’s advanced infrastructure and regulatory readiness, as well as its ability to integrate future air mobility technologies. This milestone reflects the leadership’s vision to position Dubai among the world’s best cities for quality of life and one of the most prepared for the future of smart and sustainable mobility," he added.
AL Tayer said the delivery of the air taxi station by Skyports Infrastructure near Dubai International Airport reflects the 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.
This step paves the way for expanding the development of air taxi stations across the emirate, facilitating the delivery of advanced air mobility services to residents and visitors, while enhancing connectivity between key areas, business centres, and tourist destinations, he noted.
RTA is progressing steadily towards the commercial launch of the Air Taxi service by the end of this year, further reinforcing Dubai’s position as a city of the future and a global hub for innovative and sustainable urban mobility solutions that combine advanced infrastructure with a high quality of life, said the Wam report.
El Khoury pointed out that the completion of this station by our partners marks a major milestone in bringing the air taxi service to Dubai.
"Together with the RTA, we’re proud to celebrate this important step and the progress it represents toward launching operations. We look forward to beginning commercial flights and to delivering fast, quiet, and sustainable air travel for Dubai’s residents and visitors," he added.
On the key development, Walker said with the world’s first commercial station now being in a technical position to take eVTOL flights, Skyports Infrastructure is 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 fundamentally change how people move around their cities," he noted.
The Joby Air Taxi features vertical take-off and landing capability and operates as a fully electric, environmentally friendly aircraft with zero operational emissions.
It is designed to deliver high standards of safety, comfort, and speed, incorporating the latest global advancements in advanced air mobility technologies. The aircraft features an acoustic profile that blends into the ambient noise of an urban environment and is up to 100 times quieter than a conventional helicopter.
