Abu Dhabi unveils first operational vertiport for eVTOLs

In a key step towards pioneering advanced air mobility, Abu Dhabi debuted the UAE’s first operational vertiport for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs).

The initiative is a result of the collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and Abu Dhabi Mobility (AD Mobility), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport – Abu Dhabi (DMT).

The temporary vertiport was unveiled at DRIFTx, the event showcasing smart, autonomous, and sustainable urban mobility across air, land, and sea in Abu Dhabi on April 25-26.

Vertiport aligns with GCAA standards and regulations

The facility constructed meets the latest industry standards and regulations set by the UAE’s GCAA.

By 2026, the emirate aims to establish itself as one of the world’s most advanced hubs for eVTOLs.

AD Mobility, in coordination with the UAE’s GCAA, will spearhead the regulation of the advanced air mobility sector in Abu Dhabi, ensuring safety and compliance remain paramount.

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of the GCAA, said: “The UAE’s GCAA initiative in establishing the world’s first national regulation on vertiports last year paved the way for advanced air mobility in the UAE, ensuring the availability of safe and suitable infrastructure to accommodate eVTOL aircraft.

“This bespoke regulation covers design, operations, and certification provisions for vertiports on land and in sea, demonstrating commitment to fostering innovation while prioritising safety and regulatory compliance in the rapidly evolving aviation landscape.”

He also highlighted events like DRIFTx as catalysts for accelerating the development of advanced air mobility in Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE.

Abdulla Al Marzouqi, director general of Abu Dhabi Mobility (AD Mobility), outlined plans for strategically locating vertiports across Abu Dhabi, including key business hubs and tourist destinations. These vertiports will play a pivotal role in enabling Abu Dhabi’s Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster.

“Centred in Masdar City, SAVI provides state-of-the art facilities and value-add services within an enabling regulatory environment for companies developing advanced technologies across air, land, and sea mobility applications. This is an exciting time for mobility in Abu Dhabi,” he added.

Badr Al-Olama, director general of ADIO, hailed the vertiport network as a milestone in transport innovation, underscoring its role in creating commercial opportunities and driving economic development.

ADIO’s engagement with experts during the Abu Dhabi Mobility Week showcased the extensive commercial opportunities available through Abu Dhabi’s public-private partnership (PPP) framework.

Key deals signed by ADIO at DRIFTx

Archer Aviation, a developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, inked a framework agreement with ADIO at the event. This agreement accelerates Archer’s planned commercial air taxi operations in the UAE, slated to launch as soon as next year.

The company’s collaboration with ADIO will cover vertiport construction, operational enablement for air taxi operations in the UAE, and in-country manufacturing of Archer’s Midnight aircraft. 

Joby Aviation, a company developing all-electric aircraft for commercial passenger service, also signed a multilateral MoU with Abu Dhabi’s DMT, DED and DCT Abu Dhabi to establish and scale air taxi services in Abu Dhabi and beyond.

In related news, ADIO announced a strategic collaboration with REGENT, a pioneer in electric seaglider technology, to support the development and manufacturing of seagliders at the Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry (SAVI) cluster in Masdar City. The seagliders are all-electric, wing-in-ground-effect craft that operate dock-to-dock over-water routes.

Read: ADIO, Regent partner to develop electric seagliders for coastal transport at DRIFTx