Picture of the week: Dubai completes world’s first commercial vertiport at Dubai International Airport enabling future air taxi operations

Dubai has reached a major milestone in advanced air mobility with the technical completion of its first commercial vertiport near Dubai International Airport (DXB), positioning the city at the forefront of next-generation urban transport.

Dubai International Airport vertiport ready for eVTOL

Developed through collaboration between Roads and Transport Authority and Skyports Infrastructure, the vertiport will act as the flagship hub within Dubai’s planned air taxi network. The facility has been designed specifically to support electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, offering dedicated infrastructure for both current operations and future expansion.

Spanning four floors and covering 3,100 square metres, the vertiport integrates passenger processing and flight operations within a single structure. It features two dedicated take-off and landing areas, alongside advanced charging systems, including the Joby Aviation Global Electric Aviation Charging System, enabling ultra-fast charging essential for commercial viability.

The vertiport is also capable of handling conventional helicopter traffic under a hybrid regulatory framework developed with the General Civil Aviation Authority, ensuring operational flexibility as the sector evolves.

Designed for scalability, the facility is expected to handle up to 170,000 passengers annually and support around 42,000 aircraft movements. It is directly connected to the Emirates Metro Station and includes integrated parking, supporting seamless intermodal connectivity across the city.

The milestone was marked by a demonstration for Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, showcasing the full passenger journey. The experience includes digital first booking via Joby Aviation, automated check-in, premium waiting facilities and streamlined boarding designed to minimise turnaround times.

The Dubai International Airport vertiport will serve as the first node in a wider network connecting key destinations, including Dubai Marina, Dubai Mall and Palm Jumeirah, with additional sites already under development.

Mattar Al Tayer said: “The delivery of the Air Taxi Station by Skyports Infrastructure near Dubai International Airport reflects the qualitative progress made by RTA in advancing a smart and sustainable mobility ecosystem.”

Duncan Walker added: “With the world’s first commercial vertiport now being in a technical position to take eVTOL flights, we are seeing aviation history in the making.”

Anthony El-Khoury said, “The completion of this vertiport by our partners at Skyports Infrastructure marks a major milestone in bringing air taxi service to Dubai.”

The development signals Dubai’s ambition to lead in sustainable, connected and high-capacity urban mobility, setting a global benchmark for future airport-integrated vertiport infrastructure.