A vertiport near Dubai International Airport has reached technical completion, marking a step toward the introduction of commercial air taxi operations in the emirate.
The facility, developed by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Skyports Infrastructure, is described as the first commercial vertiport in Dubai’s planned air taxi network. Initial operations are targeted before the end of 2026.
The vertiport will serve as the primary hub in a network expected to connect locations including Dubai Marina, Dubai Mall and Palm Jumeirah.
Spanning four floors and covering 3,100m², the site integrates passenger processing and flight operations in a single facility. It includes two take-off and landing areas and infrastructure designed for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, as well as the capability to handle conventional helicopter traffic.
The facility is equipped with fast-charging systems developed by Joby Aviation, intended to support rapid turnaround times. It has a planned capacity of up to 170,000 passengers annually and up to 42,000 aircraft movements.
The vertiport also connects to other modes of transportation, including access to the city’s metro system and an integrated parking facility.
“The delivery of the Air Taxi Station by Skyports Infrastructure near Dubai International Airport reflects the qualitative progress made by RTA in advancing a smart and sustainable mobility ecosystem,” said Mattar Al Tayer, director general and chairman of the board of executive directors at Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority.
The milestone follows ongoing flight testing of Joby Aviation’s eVTOL aircraft in the UAE, including piloted trials conducted in 2025 in collaboration with local aviation authorities.
“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,” said Duncan Walker, CEO at Skyports Infrastructure.
“The completion of this vertiport marks a major milestone in bringing air taxi service to Dubai,” added Anthony El-Khoury, general manager for UAE at Joby Aviation.
Further vertiports being developed across Dubai, with construction already underway at Dubai Marina and additional sites planned at Dubai Mall and Palm Jumeirah.
Authorities said the network is intended to support the rollout of advanced air mobility services, improving connectivity between key locations in the city.
In related news, Abu Dhabi advances vertiport network with Skyports and government partners
