Dubai Opens World's First Vertiport for Air Taxis
In Dubai, the world's first vertiport, specifically designed for commercial passenger transport via electric air taxis, has been opened. The facility is named VDX and is located near Dubai International Airport.
This vertiport is set to become the main hub of the future urban air taxi network. In total, Dubai plans to create four such facilities. Three more are under construction in the Dubai Marina area, near Dubai Mall, and on Palm Jumeirah.
The four-story VDX spans approximately 3100 square meters. It features two take-off and landing pads, charging infrastructure, and passenger areas. The vertiport was built by Skyports Infrastructure and Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority.
Joby Aviation air taxi
The American company Joby Aviation plans to handle the transport services. Its electric aircraft are capable of speeds up to 320 km/h and can travel up to 160 km on a single charge. The manufacturer claims that they are significantly quieter than conventional helicopters.
For example, a flight from Dubai Airport to Palm Jumeirah should take only about 10-12 minutes, whereas by car through congested roads, this journey can last almost an hour. Passengers will be able to order air taxis via a mobile application.
According to Skyports' calculations, after full launch, the vertiport will be able to serve approximately 170,000 passengers per year. However, before commercial flights can begin, the certification of Joby's aircraft still needs to be completed.
The first regular commercial flights in Dubai are planned to launch by the end of 2026. Going forward, authorities intend to expand the network of vertiports and increase the number of electric air taxis.