First operational vertiport in UAE unveiled in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), alongside the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Abu Dhabi Mobility (AD Mobility), a branch of the Department of Municipalities and Transport – Abu Dhabi (DMT), have revealed the UAE’s first operational vertiport for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) at DRIFTx, an event showcasing smart, autonomous, and sustainable urban mobility.

This temporary vertiport facility, constructed according to the latest industry standards and regulations set by the UAE’s GCAA, gives a sneak peek into Abu Dhabi’s goal of becoming a leader in eVTOL technology by 2026. AD Mobility will oversee the regulation of advanced air mobility in Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the UAE’s GCAA.

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA, emphasized the importance of collaboration in fostering innovation while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. DRIFTx serves as a platform for experts, innovators, and stakeholders to accelerate the development of advanced air mobility in Abu Dhabi and the UAE.

The UAE’s GCAA established the world’s first national regulation on vertiports last year, setting the stage for advanced air mobility in the country. This comprehensive regulation covers design, operations, and certification provisions for vertiports, showcasing a commitment to innovation while prioritizing safety.

UAE gets vertiport operational green light from GCAA, aerial mobility a near possibility

Abdulla Al Marzouqi, Director General of AD Mobility, highlighted plans to establish vertiports in strategic locations across Abu Dhabi, supporting the city’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster. Once operational, these vertiports will enable smart and efficient urban transportation.

Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, underscored the significance of the vertiport network in driving transport innovation and facilitating the future of mobility. This partnership aims to create robust infrastructure for smart and autonomous vehicles, fostering economic development and technological advancement.

ADIO has engaged with experts in the advanced air mobility sector during Abu Dhabi Mobility Week, outlining commercial opportunities for developing the capital’s vertiport infrastructure network through public-private partnerships (PPP). These plans will bolster Abu Dhabi’s SAVI cluster and pave the way for the operationalization of air taxis.

Abu Dhabi’s PPP framework, known for successfully delivering major infrastructure projects, will create new commercial opportunities for transportation infrastructure companies. ADIO is responsible for facilitating, developing, and procuring infrastructure projects under Abu Dhabi’s PPP framework, ensuring the city’s continued progress in transport innovation.