UAE's First Ever Vertiport Operates On Abu Dhabi's Yas Island Successfully

More vertiports will be set up strategically across Abu Dhabi, including prominent business hubs and tourism destinations. 

The UAE's first-ever vertiport for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft was launched and operated on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island. A vertiport is a focused area supporting the vertical takeoff and landing of aircraft without a runway. A temporary vertiport facility started at the DRIFTx mobility event successfully conducted the takeoff and landing of flying taxis at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

At the Abu Dhabi Investment office, in association with the UAE's General Civil Authority and Abu Dhabi Mobility, an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, Abu Dhabi launched the first operational vertical port in the UAE. after the announcement of the GCAA of granting the operational approval for the UAEs first vertiport on Thursday morning the launch was initiated. Later in the panel discussion at DRIFTx, a top official from the GCAA said that Yas Island will feature the country's first vertiport.

"We issued our first approval for vertiport operation here on Yas Island. So, witnessing things moving into a reality is an outstanding achievement. Something futuristic is now becoming reality. I think we are very much ready for day one," Aqeel Al Zarouni, assistant director general of the aviation safety sector at the GCAA, said.

Between 4:30 pm and 5 pm, two 600 kg eVTOL passenger aircraft took off and landed after being airborne for about 20-25 minutes. Later, another eVOTOL aircraft was operating successfully. Also, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, general of the GCAA, said: "Events like DRIFTx play a crucial role in accelerating the development of advanced air mobility in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the UAE." The short-term vertiport facility has been constructed in line with the new industry standards and regulations set by the GCAA. This new and non-permanent location on Yas Island Marina Circuit has three platforms marked for takeoff and landing.

More of the Vertiports

More vertiports would be set up in strategic locations across Abu Dhabi, including some of the central business hubs and tourism destinations, as confirmed by Abdulla Al Marzouqi, Director General of AD Mobility. "Once complete, the vertiports network would be a key enabler of Abu Dhabi's Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industry cluster, centered in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. It offers state-of-the-art facilities and value-added services within an enabling regulatory environment and for companies developing advanced technologies across arit, land, and sea mobility applications. This is an exciting time for mobility in Abu Dhabi."

Badr Al Olama, the Director General of ADIO, noted that the "Abu Dhabi vertiport network will mark a significant milestone in transport innovation and the future of mobility. Our partnership with AD mobility is pivotal for creating robust infrastructure to make smart and autonomous vehicles a reality and part of everyday life, propelling us towards more connected and efficient transport infrastructure companies, creating economic development alongside technological advancements." the approval for the vertiport and successful demonstration during the event is a remarkable achievement in the UAE's acceleration towards the urban mobility revolution.

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