UAE Unveils First Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Aircraft Vertiport in Abu Dhabi

The United Arab Emirates' General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has announced the construction of the country's first electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft vertiport in Abu Dhabi. The temporary vertiport facility, launched at the DRIFTx mobility event, successfully conducted takeoff and landing demonstrations of flying taxis, marking a significant milestone in the UAE's acceleration towards the urban mobility revolution.

The vertiport, constructed in line with the latest industry standards and regulations set by the GCAA, has been granted operational approval, making it the first of its kind in the UAE. It features three platforms marked for takeoff and landing, with plans to set up more such facilities across Abu Dhabi, including in major business hubs and tourism destinations.

The vertiport network is seen as a key enabler of Abu Dhabi's Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster, which is centered in Masdar City. It is expected to attract innovative eVTOL companies like Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation, both of which have signed agreements with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) to accelerate their commercial air taxi operations in the UAE.

Why this matters: The unveiling of the UAE's first eVTOL vertiport represents a major step forward in the country's pursuit of advanced air mobility solutions and its goal to become a global hub for urban air transportation. The successful demonstration flights and the establishment of a regulatory framework for vertiports position Abu Dhabi at the forefront of the emerging eVTOL industry, with the potential to transform urban transportation in the region and beyond.

Archer Aviation's multi-hundred-million dollar investment aims to establish in-country manufacturing, operations, and training for its Midnight aircraft, with the goal of introducing air taxi services as early as late 2025. The agreement also includes plans for local workforce development programs and the establishment of Archer's international headquarters and Centre of Excellence in Abu Dhabi.

Similarly, Joby Aviation has signed a multilateral memorandum of understanding with various Abu Dhabi government entities to lay the groundwork for establishing and scaling air taxi services in the emirate and potentially offering inter-emirate flights between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. "The agreement is part of Abu Dhabi's efforts to advance and implement the next era of advanced mobility solutions and shape the future of transportation in the region," stated a representative from the Department of Municipalities and Transport – Abu Dhabi.

The GCAA's initiative in establishing the world's first national regulation on vertiports last year paved the way for advanced air mobility in the UAE, ensuring the availability of safe and suitable infrastructure to accommodate eVTOL aircraft. The collaboration between ADIO and AD Mobility will see vertiports set up in strategic locations across Abu Dhabi as part of the emirate's SAVI cluster, creating commercial opportunities for local and international transportation infrastructure companies through Abu Dhabi's public-private partnership framework.

Key Takeaways

• UAE's first eVTOL vertiport launched in Abu Dhabi, enabling flying taxi demos.
• Vertiport is the first of its kind in UAE, with plans for more across Abu Dhabi.
• Vertiport network is part of Abu Dhabi's Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry cluster.
• Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation to establish operations and services in Abu Dhabi.
• UAE's national regulation on vertiports paves way for advanced air mobility in the country.