The objective is to revolutionize urban and interurban transport by 2026, focusing on efficiency and sustainability

A significant step toward redefining urban transportation has been taken in Abu Dhabi in recent days, with the announcement of the development of what has been described as the world’s first network of vertiports dedicated to electric Vertical Take-off and Landing aircraft (eVTOL). The project, announced on 10 November, is the result of a strategic collaboration among key government entities of the Emirate: the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) and Abu Dhabi Airports (ADA), the latter serving as lead investor and implementation partner. The initiative aims to position Abu Dhabi as a global leader in next-generation mobility, accelerating economic diversification and promoting sustainable transport solutions.

The roadmap outlined for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) foresees a phased implementation with the construction of more than ten public vertiports in strategic transit locations and urban nodes. Initial eVTOL flight operations are expected to begin in 2026.

The vertiports will be integrated into the existing transport infrastructure to improve connectivity and accessibility. Confirmed locations for the initial hubs include Zayed International Airport and Al Bateen Executive Airport. Additional sites, which are expected to include high-traffic destinations such as Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, the Cruise Terminal and Abu Dhabi Island, will be announced in due course.

The eVTOL aircraft, which are at the heart of this initiative, promise a way of travelling that is fast, efficient and, above all, low-emission, in line with the UAE’s long-term environmental objectives. The Director General of the GCAA, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, emphasized that this project marks “the beginning of a new era” for the national aviation sector, reflecting “a leap forward in airport infrastructure and reaffirming the UAE’s commitment to leading the global transition towards smarter, more sustainable mobility”.

The joint oversight by regulators such as the GCAA and Abu Dhabi Mobility will ensure that the project complies with the highest standards of safety, integration and operability, as reiterated by Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, acting Director General of Abu Dhabi Mobility.

The vertiports network aims to drastically reduce travel times between major destinations, providing an innovative solution to the growing demand for efficient and environmentally friendly travel options in the Emirate.