Dubai’s first flying taxi vertiport, the Dubai International Vertiport (DXV), is set to begin operations by the first quarter of 2026, according to the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Located near Dubai International Airport, DXV is part of an ambitious project to establish an air taxi network in the city.
The facility, developed by UK-based Skyports Infrastructure, recently received design approval from the GCAA, marking a major milestone in the project. This comes after the groundbreaking of the vertiport in late 2024. Skyports, in collaboration with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and US-based Joby Aviation, aims to create a network of four vertiports across Dubai.
According to a Gulf News report, the DXV Vertiport will serve as a hub for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The facility will feature two landing areas equipped with rapid charging technology, allowing up to 10 landings per hour. Additionally, the design accommodates future expansion to meet anticipated demand.
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA, emphasized the UAE’s commitment to innovative aviation solutions. “This project exemplifies our dedication to creating safe, secure, and future-ready infrastructure, aligned with the ambitious visions of the country’s leadership,” he said.
Other planned locations for vertiports include Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, and Dubai Marina, forming an integrated air mobility network. Each vertiport is designed to meet stringent safety standards, including advanced firefighting measures for both battery and fuel fires.
Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports, highlighted the transformative potential of air taxis, stating, “What we’re undertaking in Dubai reimagines urban and regional travel. The approval of DXV’s design is a significant step toward launching commercial air taxi services.”
Joby Aviation, the US manufacturer of the eVTOL aircraft to be used in the project, is in the advanced stages of aircraft certification with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and is coordinating with the GCAA for UAE approvals.
