The future of urban air mobility is often represented in fantastical images– flying vehicles taking off and landing vertically from the vertiports of high-tech cities. The experiences we’ve seen only in science fiction films will be a reality in Dubai in three years. 

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the design of the new air taxi stations in Dubai.

“Today, we approved the designs of flying taxi stations in Dubai which will operate within three years,” Sheikh Mohammed tweeted.

At the World Government Summit, Sheikh Mohammed accepted the models of aerial taxi vertiports to be completed by 2026. He briefed potential partners identified by RTA to operate and invest in the crucial infrastructure required to bring the aerial taxi project to fruition. 

Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, said, “The initial network of vertiports will connect four main areas of Dubai: Downtown Dubai (Burj Khalifa area), Dubai Marina, Dubai International Airport and Palm Jumeirah.”

The vertiport comprises four stands for aerial taxis and two landing areas connected to Dubai’s Emirates Metro Station via an air-conditioned bridge.