Dubai Airport establishes ‘world’s first’ commercial air taxi vertiport

The world’s first commercial air taxi vertiport has been established at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and is now ready to operate electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

On April 17, 2026, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports) showcased the 3,100m² vertiport, spanning four floors and with capacity to service 170,000 passengers.

The vertiport, which has reached “technical completion”, by Dubai International Airport is the network’s flagship center and will act as the primary hub. Further developments are currently being built at Dubai Marina, Dubai Mall and Palm Jumeirah.

US eVTOL developer Joby Aviation, which holds the exclusive rights to operate air taxi services in Dubai for six years, was also on hand to unveil the new vertiport complete with its two landing pads.

The vertiport includes the Joby-developed Global Electric Aviation Charging System (‘GEACS’), a fast-charging equipment and the first to ever be fitted at a commercial vertiport.

Dubai Media OfficeThe vertiport will also double up to manage conventional helicopter traffic, using a hybrid regulatory framework developed in partnership with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).

Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister, visited the new vertiport on April 17, 2026, when he described the project as a “key milestone in Dubai’s urban mobility journey”.

Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is progressing steadily towards the commercial launch of the air taxi service by the end of this year.

Joby is widely considered the world’s leading eVTOL developer, having achieved the greatest progress towards type certification.

Dubai Media OfficeJoby is pursuing a dual certification and qualification strategy in the UAE. This framework employs a parallel regulatory approach, utilizing Joby’s FAA-validated data to support the launch of commercial services in Dubai.

In June 2025, the company completed a series of piloted test flights for its eVTOL air taxi in Margham, validating aircraft performance under local environmental conditions.

His Highness Al Maktoum said: “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. 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.”

Dubai Media OfficeSkyports Infrastructure is responsible for the design, development and operation of the station infrastructure, while Joby oversees aircraft manufacturing and operations, including passenger management.

RTA oversees governance of operations and ensures integration with the wider transport network.

Duncan Walker, CEO, Skyports Infrastructure, said: “With the world’s first commercial vertiport now being in a technical position to take eVTOL flights, we are 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 change how people move around their cities.”

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