Dubai is now all set to experience fully operational air-taxi services by 2026. Building the Emirate’s first structured vertiport has been assigned to be completed by the CEO of a London-based organization. The CEO has concluded fulfilling the assigned task by 2026 during the final day of the 3rd Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport on September 27, Wednesday.

 “Dubai will be the first city (in the world) with a fully-developed network of vertiports for permanent air taxi services by 2026,” CEO of Skyports, Mr. Duncan Walker said while talking about how the future of Air-mobility is going to look alike.

An electrical vertical that can take off and land is called an eVTOL aircraft.

A vertical airport or vertiport is specially designed to process the take-off and landings of any drone or an AAM, Advanced Air Mobility transport. It may sound similar to a heliport or helipad but based on the technicality it is a completely different structure. A helipad, or heliport is designed to facilitate standard helicopters of different sizes and specified weight conditions compared to an eVTOL transport or air-taxis.

Multiple drones can be facilitated inside a vertiport, therefore there are a few unique requirements to be fulfilled. It has to ensure sufficient spacing between launching and landing the pads. It also has the facility to charge the eVTOL aircraft.

Finalized Designs:

The speech by Mr. Duncan Walker at the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport organized by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) aligned with the target of flying air taxis in the Emirates by 2026. Back in February 2023, during the World Government Summit in Dubai, the design by Skyports Infrastructure was approved for the vertiport.

A similarly designed Vertiport model has been presented to the Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, along with the presence of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai by Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The main hub of the vertiport for the flying taxi is going to be located near the Dubai International Airport (DXB). The air taxi service is going to initially operate from and to vertiports located in Dubai Downtown, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah.

Fly Time:

Earlier, it was announced that the Flying taxis would have a maximum speed of 300 kmph, with a maximum flying range of 241 km. There will be a capacity to seat one pilot and carry four passengers inside.

Duncan Walker said by addressing the transport experts and the audiences on Wednesday, 27 September that the usual travel time to reach Palm Jumeirah from Dubai International Airport during busy hours will be cut down to six minutes from 45 minutes, and another 10 minutes will be taken inside the vertiport for other process.

He also added that there will be many benefits to choosing an air taxi to commute. Apart from saving time flying taxis also have a mission to operate with zero-carbon production. Also, flying taxis will help to reduce overcrowding on the ground. 

The Foremost Option for Future Transport:

Duncan Walker expressed his admiration toward Dubai for making a remarkable move and contributing to developing future transport. He also made a note of Dubai leading this game because of the “efficient government coordination, established regulatory framework, network of feasible sites as well as integrated transport, and robust business demand.”