Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Abu Dhabi Launches Vertiport Network, Signs 29 Deals to Fast-Track Air Taxis by 2026

Government partners position Abu Dhabi Airports as anchor investor under a SAVI-driven framework to move autonomous mobility from pilots to commercial service.

Overview

  • More than 10 vertiports are planned, with Zayed International and Al Bateen confirmed as initial hubs and additional sites, including Yas and Saadiyat, to follow in later phases.
  • Abu Dhabi Airports is the primary delivery partner, and Skyports Infrastructure has been engaged for vertiport design, construction and operational integration.
  • First eVTOL passenger operations are targeted for 2026, with the UAE aviation regulator expecting eVTOL certification by the third quarter of 2026.
  • ADIO announced 29 commercial deployment agreements spanning drone delivery, Level 4 autonomous cargo vehicles, robotics-enabled logistics and cold-chain medical transport with partners including Talabat, Noon, Aramex, PureLab, Sinaha and Autologix with Emirates Post.
  • Each site will be integrated with ground transport and digital systems, and Dubai’s crewed Joby test flight and vertiport construction signal UAE-wide momentum toward initial air-taxi services next year.