AAM infrastructure developer and drone services provider Skyports has had its vertiport design approved for development by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum of Dubai at the World Government Summit 2023.

The vision for Dubai's future air mobility infrastructure network was jointly presented by Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Skyports Infrastructure and Joby Aviation at a closed presentation ahead of the start of the World Government Summit, an annual three day event that brings together international government officials and business leaders.

The air mobility exposition demonstrated the planned roadmap for developing a vertiport network in Dubai for launch by 2026, including a concept for how future vertiport infrastructure may look and how it will integrate with existing transportation, including the RTA's Dubai metro network and Dubai International airport.

Skyports CEO Duncan Walker says: “We are honoured to have received such strong endorsement of our Dubai vertiport vision from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed. The appetite for technology innovation and infrastructure expansion in Dubai makes it a hugely promising environment for the launch of advanced air mobility. We're excited to continue working with the RTA to make our joint vision of an integrated vertiport network a reality in 2026.”

Four vertiport sites located near Dubai International airport, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown and Dubai Marina are currently being considered, and were presented to a senior delegation that included His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum accompanied by Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. These initial locations will connect four of Dubai's most popular and populous areas, providing high-speed, zero-emissions connectivity.

An architectural model of Skyports' vertiport near Dubai International airport was presented to the special delegation by RTA chairman His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer. Joby Aviation, which last week became the first eVTOL aircraft manufacturer to complete the second stage in the FAA aircraft type certification process, joined RTA and Skyports Infrastructure at the summit to promote the opportunities for aerial mobility in Dubai

RTA chief executive officer of the Public Transport Agency Ahmed Bahrozyan says: “The RTA's plan for aerial taxis is in line with the Dubai Self-Driving Transport Strategy, that aims to make 25 per cent of all trips in Dubai driverless by 2030. The project aims to roll out a new mobility service driven by pioneering technology to ease the mobility of individuals across urban areas in a safe, smooth and sustainable manner integrated with the public transport network in Dubai."

The service is set to be operational by 2026.