in dubai An important step has been taken to the launch of the city’s new air traffic system: they built a VDX vertical take-off and landing airport from scratch for commercial operations with aerotak and obtained a certificate for its intended use. It won’t be long before electric “dragonflies” take to the skies of Dubai, drastically reducing travel time for hurried passengers. It’s like ordering an Uber.
Image source: Skyports
The certificate, issued by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), confirms that the facility meets the requirements to receive electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. This type of low-altitude aircraft is designed to operate without the need for a traditional runway, which allows their transportation hubs to be as close as possible to urban areas.
The VDX vertiport is being developed by Skyports Infrastructure in partnership with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) near Dubai International Airport. Four-story building with an area of about 3100m2 Designed for regular commercial transport and not suitable for demonstration flights. The complex includes two dedicated take-off and landing fields, aircraft battery fast-charging infrastructure, passenger service areas and operations management systems. At full capacity, the facility will be able to serve 170,000 passengers per year (operating around the clock, 19 passengers per hour).
VDX certification marks an important milestone for the new passenger transport industry, as the development of air taxis depends not only on the creation of the aircraft itself, but also on the emergence of ground infrastructure, safety standards and operating procedures. Regulators evaluated the facility’s physical design, operational processes and safety management systems.
Skyports plans to build a network of four vertical airports in Dubai that should connect key areas of the city and provide an alternative to congested road traffic. The first of these, which has received certificates and work permits, is being built near Dubai International Airport. The second one will take place on the artificial island of Palm Jumeirah. The locations of the other two have not yet been released.
The air taxi supplier for the project will be US company Joby Aviation, which is developing an all-electric aircraft with rotating propellers. In 2024, Joby signed an exclusive six-year agreement to operate in Dubai and is expected to provide the city with a fleet of manned air taxis. The company conducted test flights in various locations in November last year, but before commencing commercial operations, it still needs to complete aircraft certification, deploy the fleet, resolve air traffic control issues and confirm the economic efficiency of the aircraft. Dubai plans to launch a full-fledged air taxi service in 2026, which may make the city the first city in the world to have an urban air taxi operating network.
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