Skyports Infrastructure has conducted a ceremonial topping out ceremony to celebrate reaching the highest point of building the first commercial vertiport, DXV, located adjacent to Dubai International airport. Construction is now 60 per cent complete, and is running on schedule for planned completion for Q1 2026. Post launch the vertiport will cater to flights with Joby Aviation’s S4 eVTOL aircraft, with commercial services planned in 2026.

DXV is designed for high capacity, being able to facilitate 42,000 aircraft movements and serve approximately 170,000 passengers per year. The facility features two take off and landing areas, alongside all the technologies and facilities to accommodate eVTOL flights, such as fast-charging infrastructure and safety equipment specified to the highest global aviation standards. It can also accommodate conventional helicopter traffic.

The terminal spans four floors with a footprint of 3,100sqm, housing the main passenger terminal alongside central operations for the vertiport. The passenger terminal has been designed to provide a frictionless passenger experience, incorporating automated electronic check in, advanced security screening, a premium lounge and briefing rooms.

The development includes a multi-deck car park, ensuring seamless transfers between air and ground transport. It is also a short walk from the Emirates metro station, supporting onward intermodal connectivity.

The topping out ceremony was attended by Skyports CEO Duncan Walker and Ahmed Hashem Bahrozyan, CEO of Public Transport Agency, RTA.

Walker says: “Vertiports are central to the success of advanced air mobility. With DXV reaching this pivotal milestone and further vertiport locations now confirmed with some of the UAE’s most prestigious landlords, we’re seeing AAM history in the making. Dubai is gearing up to be the first city in the world to make commercial AAM a reality, and it’s an honour to be playing a part in facilitating ultra-fast, zero-emission travel that will revolutionise the way that people move and navigate through urban areas.”

DXV will be the central node of a vertiport network, with further nodes planned in collaboration with different developers in Dubai. The next three, to be located at the American University of Dubai, Atlantis the Royal and the Dubai Mall, will support Joby Aviation in its six-year exclusive agreement with the RTA to establish air taxi services in the Emirate.

Joby recently completed a landmark flight test, becoming the first electric air taxi company to conduct a point-to-point flight in the UAE. It landed its aircraft at Al Maktoum International airport (DWC) following a 17 minute piloted flight from its test facility in Margham, underscoring its commercial market readiness and ability to operate in shared airspace.

JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby, says: “From flight demonstrations to infrastructure, we’re making incredible progress on all fronts as we look ahead to launching commercial passenger service in Dubai next year. By working alongside the RTA, other government agencies and infrastructure partners, we’ve been able to streamline development of the world’s first air taxi service and are closer than ever to making urban air transport an everyday reality for residents and visitors across the UAE.”

Dubai Mall attracted nearly 111 million visitors in 2024; Atlantis the Royal at the centre of Palm Jumeirah offers connectivity to premier beachfront destinations, world-class dining and entertainment; while the American University of Dubai serves both Dubai Marina and Dubai Internet City.

Alongside the DXV vertiport at Dubai International airport, which is set to be completed in the first quarter of 2026, these sites will make up the initial vertiport network for Joby’s air taxi service in Dubai, which is set to launch in 2026.