Dubai, UAE – The UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has begun mapping air corridors and developing regulatory frameworks for piloted and autonomous flying taxis and cargo drones. The initiative, set to be finalized within the next 20 months, aims to revolutionize urban transportation in the country.
A Key Milestone for Advanced Air Mobility
Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of GCAA, emphasized that defining aerial routes is a critical step toward integrating Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) into the UAE’s infrastructure.
“This initiative ensures the safe and efficient adoption of air mobility, delivering transformative solutions to urban transport and paving the way for a smarter, more connected future,” he stated.
Connecting Key Airports and Landmarks
The planned aerial routes will link major international airports and iconic destinations across the UAE, ensuring a seamless network for piloted and autonomous flying taxis and cargo drones.
Dubai is set to be the first city globally to launch a flying taxi service, with operations expected to begin in the first quarter of 2026. On January 9, Dubai unveiled its first commercial vertiport, named Dubai International Vertiport (DXV), to facilitate takeoff and landing for air taxis.
Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi has announced plans to construct vertiports at three key locations: Al Bateen, Yas Island, and Khalifa Port. These facilities will support the integration of flying taxis into the emirate’s transport network.
Strategic Partnerships and AI-Driven Innovation
On Thursday, during the World Governments Summit, the GCAA signed a strategic partnership with the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and Aspire, both entities under the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). This collaboration aims to develop airspace management systems and facilitate the safe deployment of air taxis and drones in urban environments.
Prof. Enrico Natalizio, Chief Researcher at TII’s Autonomous Robotics Research Center, highlighted that advanced AI-powered control, vision, and communication algorithms are being developed to enable real-time decision-making for autonomous systems.
Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, added: “We are not only enhancing urban connectivity but also driving sustainable and accessible mobility solutions that will benefit future generations.”
With the UAE at the forefront of next-generation transport, the introduction of air corridors is expected to relieve pressure on traditional road networks and offer faster, more efficient mobility solutions.
