The CEO of the London-based business in charge of constructing the UAE’s first vertiport confidently predicted that flying taxis will be fully operational in Dubai by 2026 on the final day of the third Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport.
Talking about the future of air mobility, Duncan Walker, CEO Skyports, said: “Dubai will be the first city (in the world) with a fully-developed network of vertiports for permanent air taxi services by 2026.” electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Any advanced air mobility (AAM) transport, including drones, can land and take off at a vertiport (vertical airport). Technically speaking, it differs from a helipad or heliport, which are built to support traditional helicopters with different size and weight requirements than eVTOL aircraft like air taxis.
A vertiport has a special need to make sure there is enough room between the landing and launching pads because it can house many drones. Additionally, it is made to refuel eVTOLs.
Design approved
In accordance with the emirate’s goal to have air taxis take off by 2026, Walker’s statement at the Dubai World Congress for Self-Driving Transport, hosted by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), was well-timed. The World Government Summit in Dubai back in February of this year approved the development of Skyports Infrastructure’s vertiport design.
His Majesty Mattar Al Tayer, RTA director general and chairman of the board of executive directors, demonstrated a vertiport model to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president and prime minister of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, crown prince of Dubai.
The flying taxi vertiport will initially run to and from vertiport stations in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marina, with its main hub being positioned close to Dubai International Airport (DXB).
Flying time
Aerial taxis will have a top speed of 300 kph and a maximum range of 241 km, according to a previous announcement. It can accommodate up to four people and a pilot.
Walker told the audience and transportation experts on Wednesday that the flying taxi will reduce the typical travel time from DXB to Palm Jumeirah during rush hour from 45 minutes to six minutes, plus an additional 10 minutes at the vertiport.
In addition to saving time compared to land transportation, he continued, flying taxis will also offer several advantages. Aerial taxis will lessen congestion on the ground and have a zero-carbon operational purpose.
Forefront of future transport
Walker praised Dubai for being at the forefront of developing the future of transport. He noted Dubai is ahead of the game because of “efficient government coordination, established regulatory framework, network of feasible sites as well as integrated transport, and robust business demand.