The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has become the first country in the world to certify a purpose-built commercial vertiport for electric air taxi operations, marking a major milestone in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).

The certified VDX facility, located next to Dubai International Airport (DXB), will serve as the flagship hub of Dubai’s future urban air mobility network.

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) granted the regulatory certification to VDX, a facility developed by Skyports Infrastructure for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

“The certification the world’s first purpose-built commercial vertiport is a historic achievement for the UAE and a defining moment for the future of aviation." said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA. "It reflects the vision of our leadership, the maturity of our regulatory system and our national capability to enable innovation while maintaining the highest levels of safety."

VDX will anchor Dubai’s planned air taxi network, with three additional vertiports under development through a partnership between Skyports and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The aircraft will also connect the city to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) as the network matures.

What passengers can expect

The four-story facility spans about 3,100 square metres and includes two dedicated takeoff and landing areas, rapid charging infrastructure for electric aircraft, and passenger facilities designed for high-throughput operations.

Once commercial operations begin, VDX will be able to handle up to 170,000 passengers a year.

Air taxi network takes shape

Skyports said construction across the wider Dubai Air Taxi network is progressing, with the certified vertiport now acting as the anchor site for future commercial operations.

"With VDX now certified and construction of the wider Dubai Air Taxi Network progressing at pace, we are one step closer to launching commercial air taxi operations and unlocking a new era of safe, efficient, and sustainable urban transport," said Duncan Walker, CEO, Skyports Infrastructure.

Source: A2Z Aviation/Guf News