Air Taxi Ready: World's First Commercial Vertiport by Dubai International Airport Reaches Technical Completion
2026 Start
First of four vertiports in Dubai's air taxi network to reach completion milestone
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, April 16th, 2026: Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports) today announced that the world's first commercial vertiport situated by Dubai International Airport has reached technical completion, and is now ready to handle electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
To mark the milestone, a full tour and demonstration of the vertiport was provided to His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, including a simulation of the future passenger experience and a look behind the scenes at how electric air taxi operations would function in practice.
Vertiports: a new class of infrastructure for a new class of transportation
The first node in Dubai's air taxi network, the vertiport by Dubai International Airport is the network's flagship vertiport, and will act as the primary hub.
Spanning four floors with a footprint of 3,100m², the vertiport integrates the main passenger terminal and central flight operations all under one roof. Featuring two dedicated take-off and landing areas, it is equipped with the latest technologies and infrastructure specifically tailored for eVTOL aircraft. This includes the Joby Aviation developed Global Electric Aviation Charging System ("GEACS"), fast-charging equipment, the first to ever be fitted at a commercial vertiport.
Ultra-fast charging is central to operating air taxis at an accessible price, and is essential to the success of Dubai's future air taxi network. The vertiport can also handle conventional helicopter traffic, using a pioneering hybrid regulatory framework developed in partnership with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
With a view to future network expansion and full network utilisation the vertiport is designed for high-capacity operations, capable of handling up to 170,000 passengers annually and up to 42,000 aircraft movements. The vertiport also provides excellent intermodal connectivity, being directly accessible to the Emirates Metro Station and featuring an integrated multistorey car park.
The passenger experience of the future
The technical completion milestone event was also an opportunity to demonstrate to His Highness the full end-to-end air taxi passenger experience, which facilitates a rapid passenger turnaround time from arrival to take-off.
This includes:
- A digital-first booking experience with seats bookable through Joby Aviation's dedicated booking app
● Automated digital check-in to provide a frictionless passenger experience
● Premium passenger facilities that maximise comfort while waiting for flights
- Efficient boarding flows that provide a smooth transition to the take-off and landing areas, minimising passenger wait times
Network expansion underway
The vertiport by Dubai International Airport will serve as the first and flagship operational node in a broader network that will connect key destinations across Dubai, with further nodes in development at Dubai Marina, Dubai Mall and Palm Jumeirah. The second node, at Dubai Marina, is currently under construction, with construction at Dubai Mall and Palm Jumeirah set to begin in the coming months.
Aircraft readiness in the lead up to commercial operations
Joby Aviation continues to advance its flight-testing programme and operational readiness through a consistent schedule of trials and public demonstrations. In June 2025, the company completed a series of piloted test flights of its eVTOL Air Taxi in Margham, validating aircraft performance under local environmental conditions.
These trials were conducted in collaboration with the RTA, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, General Civil Aviation Authority, and Dubai Air Navigation Services. The programme also included the first UAE piloted flights between two locations—Margham and Al Maktoum International Airport—alongside daily flight demonstrations at the Dubai Airshow 2025.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority said:
"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, built on the integration of various transport modes and aligned with global transformations in urban mobility. This step paves the way for expanding the development of Air Taxi vertiports across the emirate, ensuring the delivery of advanced air mobility services to residents and visitors, while enhancing connectivity between key areas, business centres, and tourist destinations."
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."
"The completion of this vertiport by our partners at Skyports Infrastructure marks a major milestone in bringing air taxi service to Dubai," said Anthony El-Khoury, General Manager, UAE, Joby Aviation. "Together with the RTA, we're proud to celebrate this important step and the progress it represents toward launching operations. We look forward to beginning commercial flights and to delivering fast, quiet, and sustainable air travel for Dubai's residents and visitors."
-ENDS-
Further Information:
About RTA
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) was formed by Emiri Decree No. (17) of 2005, is the government entity responsible for regulating and overseeing all modes of transportation within the Emirate. RTA is responsible for planning and providing the requirements of transport, roads & traffic in the Emirate of Dubai, and between Dubai and other Emirates of the UAE in order to provide an effective and integrated transport system.
About Skyports Infrastructure
Skyports Infrastructure is a global leader in the design, build, and operation of vertiports and heliports for eVTOLs and helicopters. With live operational assets in the UK and US, and projects under development across the Middle East, Europe and Asia, Skyports delivers the ground infrastructure needed for safe, efficient, and scalable vertical lift operations. The company is driving the future of urban air mobility, bringing next-generation aviation to cities around the world.
Find out more at: www.skyports.net
About Joby
Joby Aviation, Inc. (NYSE:JOBY) is a California-based transportation company developing an all-electric, vertical take-off and landing air taxi. Joby intends to both operate its fast, quiet, and convenient air taxi service in cities around the world and sell its aircraft to other operators and partners. To learn more, visit www.jobyaviation.com.
