Construction of the first begins in Dubai "vertiport" of the United Arab Emirates

Construction of the first “vertiport” in the United Arab Emirates has begun in Dubai, a structure dedicated to flying taxis near Dubai International Airport (Dxb). The city government announced this. Scheduled to be completed by 2026, the ‘vertiport’ aims to offer fast and sustainable transport to some of the city’s most popular areas, using a driverless vehicle for an autonomous flying taxi service.

The facility, called Dxb Vertiport, covers 3,100 square meters and is expected to handle up to 42,000 landings and serve 170,000 passengers per year, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, said on social media platform X. The initial phase will include additional stations located in Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and Palm Jumeirah, he added. Sheikh Hamdan stressed that “the project reflects Dubai’s commitment to innovation, safety and sustainability in transportation.”

“Vertiports” are designed to facilitate urban air transport, reducing travel times between different points of a city or between neighboring cities, using vertical take-off and self-driving or semi-autonomous electric aircraft. These sites may include a range of infrastructure such as landing pads, charging areas for electric vehicles, and spaces for the embarkation and disembarkation of passengers.