In a key step towards pioneering advanced air mobility, Abu Dhabi debuted the UAE’s first operational vertiport for electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs). The initiative is a result of the collaboration between the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), and Abu Dhabi Mobility (AD Mobility), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport – Abu Dhabi (DMT). The temporary vertiport was unveiled at DRIFTx, the event showcasing smart, autonomous, and sustainable urban mobility across air, land, and sea in Abu Dhabi on April 25-26. Vertiport aligns with GCAA standards and regulationsThe facility constructed meets the latest industry standards and regulations set by the UAE’s GCAA. By 2026, the emirate aims to establish itself as one of the world’s most advanced hubs for eVTOLs. AD Mobility, in coordination with the UAE’s GCAA, will spearhead the regulation of the advanced air mobility sector in Abu Dhabi, ensuring safety and compliance remain paramount. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director general of the GCAA, said: “The UAE’s GCAA initiative in establishing the world’s first national regulation on vertiports last year paved the way for advanced air mobility in the UAE, ensuring the availability of safe and suitable infrastructure to accommodate eVTOL aircraft. “This bespoke regulation covers design, operations, and certification provisions for vertiports on land and in sea, demonstrating commitment to fostering innovation while prioritising safety and regulatory compliance in the rapidly evolving aviation landscape.” He also highlighted events like DRIFTx as catalysts for accelerating the development of advanced air mobility in Abu Dhabi and the wider UAE. Key deals signed by ADIO at DRIFTxArcher Aviation, a developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, inked a framework agreement with ADIO at the event. This agreement accelerates Archer’s planned commercial air taxi operations in the UAE, slated to launch as soon as next year. The company’s collaboration with ADIO will cover vertiport construction, operational enablement for air taxi operations in the UAE, and in-country manufacturing of Archer’s Midnight aircraft.