Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Hanneke Weitering

The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has granted technical design approval to Skyports for the construction of its first commercial vertiport for eVTOL air taxi flights in Dubai.&nbsp;
Skyports, which has headquarters in London, is working with California-based Joby Aviation to establish a ground infrastructure network for the launch of commercial operations with the latter's four-passenger eVTOL aircraft in 2026. Last year, the government of Dubai awarded Joby <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2024-02-12/dubai-gives-joby-exclusive-rights-local-evtol-air-taxi-market">exclusive rights</a> to operate eVTOL air taxi services there for six years.&nbsp;
That ground infrastructure network will initially consist of four vertiports around Dubai, with two takeoff and landing pads and an aircraft charger at each location. In November, Skyports and Joby <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-11-14/joby-and-skyports-start-building-first-dubai-vertiport-evtol">broke ground on the first facility</a> near the Dubai International Airport. They will build the other three in Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Downtown, and Dubai Marina.&nbsp;
According to Skyports, the initial facility—dubbed the Dubai International Vertiport (DXV)—is the first vertiport to gain design approval from the UAE since it established vertiport regulations. Skyports and Joby collaborated with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority to come up with the freshly approved design, which features a three-story, 33,000-sq-ft structure adjacent to a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-10-07/skyports-partners-parking-group-develop-dubai-vertiports">parking garage</a>.&nbsp;
“What we’re undertaking in Dubai—and driving in other regions—completely reimagines the way people travel around cities and between regions. This is all made possible through the development of new regulatory frameworks and guidelines, which ensure a compliant, safe, and scalable approach to aviation infrastructure,” said Skyports CEO Duncan Walker. “Today, with the GCAA, we’ve reached a key milestone for our flagship DXV facility, bringing us ever closer to launching commercial air taxi operations.”
Joby has said it aims to complete type certification of its JAS4-1 aircraft by the end of 2025. The GCAA has committed to endorsing initial FAA approval under existing bilateral agreements.&nbsp;&nbsp;

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Skyports' First UAE Vertiport Wins Technical Design Approval

Vertiport at Dubai International Airport will support Joby's eVTOL air taxi services

The UAE's General Civil Aviation Authority grants technical design approval to Skyports for the first commercial vertiport facility in Dubai.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

New developments at FBOs including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Infrastructure development ramps up as electric aviation builds momentum

Beta’s Aircraft Charging Network Doubled in 2024

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Autonomous eVTOL manufacturer continuous work on China's "low-altitude economy"

EHang Launches eVTOL Infrastructure Partnerships in China

Charles Alcock

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Helsinki city officials want to build housing on the historic site and nature reserve

Campaigners Push To Reopen Helsinki's Malmi Airport

News and developments about aviation fuel, including jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel.

Electric aircraft and ground vehicles can now charge at KBAF in western Massachusetts

Atlantic and Beta Add Aircraft Chargers in Massachusetts

Curt Epstein

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Airport ground vehicles create a memorable holiday light display

Czech Airport Lights Up with Holiday Spirit

Matt Thurber

ADS-B and computer vision enables system to detect landing and on-runway traffic

Purdue Polytechnic Patenting Runway Status Lights 

Galesburg's airport will be renamed for a hometown aviation legend

Illinois Airport To Honor Local Aviator, FBO Owner

AmyWilder

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

In this article

Joby Aviation

More In Airports