Dubai is making significant strides in its ambitious plan to launch the world’s first aerial taxi network by 2026, with the construction of its inaugural vertiport near Dubai International Airport (DXB) now 60% complete. Developed by Skyports Infrastructure, this cutting-edge facility spans 3,100 square meters across four floors and features dedicated levels for parking, take-off and landing pads, electric aircraft charging stations, and fully air-conditioned passenger areas. Once operational, the vertiport is expected to handle approximately 42,000 landings annually, catering to around 170,000 passengers. This project is a cornerstone of Dubai’s broader initiative to establish a network of vertiports across key locations, including Zabeel Dubai Mall, Atlantis The Royal on Palm Jumeirah, and Dubai Marina. These sites, developed in collaboration with Emaar Properties, Atlantis The Royal, and Wasl Asset Management Group, will form the backbone of the city’s electric aerial taxi network. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has also completed the first crewed electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) flight in the UAE, conducted with Joby Aviation, marking a pivotal milestone in the project’s development. Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General of RTA, emphasized that the service aims to provide a fast, safe, and convenient mobility option, significantly reducing travel times across the city. For instance, a journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah is expected to take just 10 minutes, compared to 45 minutes by road. The aerial taxis, equipped with six rotors and four battery packs, can carry four passengers and a pilot, reaching speeds of up to 320 km/h with a range of 160 kilometers. Skyports Infrastructure CEO Duncan Walker hailed the vertiport’s development as a historic moment, while Joby Aviation founder JoeBen Bevirt expressed confidence in the project’s progress towards a 2026 commercial rollout. This initiative is part of a multi-agency collaboration involving RTA, the General Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Dubai Air Navigation Services, Skyports Infrastructure, and Joby Aviation.