Sheikh Mohammed approves design for ‘flying taxi’ vertiports

Sheikh Mohammed approves design for ‘flying taxi’ vertiports

Dubai is one step closer to welcoming “flying taxis” by 2026.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the prototype design of aerial taxi vertiports developed by the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

The models are on display at RTA’s stand at the World Government Summit 2023.

During his visit to the stand, Sheikh Mohammed was briefed about potential partners identified by the RTA to operate and invest in the infrastructure required to complete the aerial taxi project successfully. The briefing was led by Mattar Al Tayer, director-general and chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA.

من القمة العالمية للحكومات .. اعتمدنا اليوم تصميم محطات التاكسي الجوي الجديدة في دبي .. والتي ستبدأ عملها خلال ٣ سنوات .. pic.twitter.com/tGQyPFVDUD — HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) February 12, 2023

Four locations for aerial taxi vertiports identified

“The initial phase encompasses choosing both manufacturers and operators based on their technology and timeline, as well as determining the sites for vertiport installations. The initial network of vertiports will connect four main areas of Dubai: Downtown Dubai (Burj Khalifa area), Dubai Marina, Dubai International Airport and Palm Jumeirah,” said Al Tayer.

“Vertiports embody a revolutionary form