UAE regulator approves Skyports’ first vertiport design

Skyports has received technical design approval from the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) General Civil Aviation Authority for its first commercial vertiport in the country.

Named for its location near Dubai International Airport, the Dubai International Vertiport (DXV) is currently under development ahead of planned air taxi operations commencing next year. 

Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports, said: “What we’re undertaking in Dubai – and driving in other regions – completely reimagines the way people travel around cities and between regions. This is all made possible through the development of new regulatory frameworks and guidelines, which ensure a compliant, safe, and scalable approach to aviation infrastructure.”

The facility is the first to receive design approval under the newly established UAE Vertiport Regulations. It is the one of four sites in an initial air taxi infrastructure network being developed by Skyports in collaboration with Joby Aviation and Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Last year, Skyports raised $110m in Series C funding, in large part, to support the launch of air taxi operations in the UAE.

Ostensibly, the technical design approval means the GCAA is assured that the proposed vertiport will comply with the “physical characteristic requirements” outlined in the regulations — CAR-HVD Part III.

The design approval process involves an assessment of factors, including physical dimensions, layout, airspace considerations, obstacle environment and rescue and firefighting services. When it comes to battery-electric aircraft firefighting is a different ballgame, to gain design approval Skyports demonstrated a rescue and firefighting strategy for both battery and traditional fuel fires.

H.E. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of the GCAA, said: “The approval of the DXV Vertiport design advances the UAE’s leadership in adopting innovative aviation solutions. Aligned with the ambitious visions of the country’s wise leadership and supporting the Air Taxi Project set to launch in 2026, this project exemplifies our commitment to creating safe, secure and future ready infrastructure.”