First look: Dubai’s air taxis fly near Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab and other major landmarks – News

Photos: The first vertiport near Dubai International Airport, linked to Emirates Metro station

Air taxis will fly by Dubai’s skies in just three yearsBy 2026, residents and tourists will line up at one of the emirate’s four vertiports and shuttle between Downtown Dubai (near the Burj Khalifa area), Dubai Marina, Dubai International Airport and Palm Jumeirah.

Later on Sunday, the Dubai government media office released photos of the air taxi, what passengers will see, and first vertiport Sure to get your heart racing and your mind flying!

The first funky vertiport will appear near Dubai International Airport. The roof serves as a terminal for air taxis:

The port will be connected to the Emirates Metro Station via an air-conditioned bridge.

The vertiport consists of two levels of parking and has a modern design. It has four air taxi stations and two landing areas. It will have a waiting area for passengers and charging stations. According to the authorities, the ports integrate “seamlessly” with other modes of transport.

They are powered by electricity and emit no pollutants. They have a range of 241 kilometers and a top speed of 300 kilometers per hour. The air taxi can accommodate up to four passengers and a pilot.

Images released by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) show planes whizzing past landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Frame and the Burj Al Arab. Imagine being a passenger as your plane circles near these attractions:

RTA is working closely with Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Directorate General of Civil Aviation and Dubai Air Navigation Services to create a unique integrated framework for air taxi operations. This includes developing legislation and setting clear norms and standards for vehicle operators. The RTA will outline the vehicle’s flight path, identify takeoff and landing locations, and specify the equipment needed to operate safely and efficiently.

RTA Director General and Chairman of the Executive Board, Mattar Al Tayer, said the project consisted of two main phases: selection of suitable technologies that meet global standards and partnerships with specialized suppliers.

“The operation consists of key elements. These include detailed negotiations with numerous companies active in the field, the signing of commercial agreements, the establishment of local entities to carry out the business, the development of the necessary infrastructure and the much-anticipated launch of services.

“The second phase involves the identification of potential partners to invest in the infrastructure required to introduce autonomous air taxis into the skies of Dubai. Currently, commercial negotiations are ongoing with the world’s most promising and professional investors in the field of air mobility to build the necessary infrastructure,” Al Tayer said.

The rollout will depend on the company’s readiness and legislative requirements for operating air taxis. “It also involved a thorough review of all operational details and making sure that all safety measures were in place,” Al Tayer explained.