UAE: Air corridors for flying taxis, cargo drones to be defined in under 2 years
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced on Thursday that the UAE has commenced mapping its air corridor and is in the process of designing a regulatory framework for the use of piloted and autonomous flying taxis and cargo drones.
GCAA added that the aerial corridors and regulations will be defined in the next 20 months.
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of the GCAA, said: “Air corridor mapping for piloted and autonomous air taxis and drones represents an important milestone that will facilitate the integration of Advanced Air Mobility into the infrastructural framework of the UAE ecosystem - a prerequisite for introducing air mobility safely and efficiently as a transformative solution for the urban transportation landscape and vision of a smarter, more connected future.
According to GCAA, the aerial routes will rendezvous major international airports and hot spots in the UAE, beyond just the immediate area surrounding the airport, to integrate piloted and unmanned city air taxi and cargo drone operations across a national network.
GCAA director-general Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, said: "Air corridor mapping for piloted and autonomous air taxis and drones is an important step towards integration of Advanced Air Mobility into the UAE infrastructure." "This initiative facilitates a safe and efficient deployment of the air mobility solutions which provide disruptive and transformative means to urban air transport and opens new horizons for a smarter and more connected future."
According to GCAA, “The aerial routes will link major international airports and landmarks of the UAE, and extend the existing work to ensure the linking of both piloted and un-piloted air taxis and cargo drones, will be integrated with the cities of the UAE.”
Dubai Confirmed to Be the First City Ever to Launch the Aerial Taxi ProjectDubai has been confirmed as the number one city ever to launch the aerial taxi project, with the service plan/rolled out by the first quarter of 2026. Dubai unveils its first commercial vertiportOn January 9, Dubai announced what would be the first commercial vertiport in the country to be called theDubai International Vertiport (DXV).
It was also announced earlier this week, due to the fact three vertiports are going to be build in Abu Dhabi, at three major locations, Al Bateen, Yas Island and Khalifa Port. Set to start flying in 2026, flying taxis will take off, land, and be serviced at vertiports, which are spots reserved for these vehicles.
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