Dubai has officially named its first flying taxi station as Dubai International Vertiport (DXV). Located near Dubai International Airport (DXB), DXV is the first of four planned stations under the emirate’s initial air taxi infrastructure network. Operations are expected to begin in 2026, marking a significant step forward for urban mobility in the UAE.

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced on Thursday that DXV’s technical design has been approved, making it the first facility to receive approval under the newly introduced UAE Vertiport Regulations. This approval allows Skyports Infrastructure, in collaboration with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) and Joby Aviation, to continue developing the site.

In a joint statement, Skyports and the GCAA emphasized that the approval represents a major milestone, ensuring safety and innovation in the development of air taxi systems. They noted that the regulations are key to enabling future air mobility while maintaining the UAE’s high safety standards.

The design approval for DXV involved rigorous checks of factors such as layout, airspace, obstacles, and firefighting strategies for different types of fires. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of the GCAA, said the project will revolutionize urban transportation, while Skyports CEO Duncan Walker highlighted the UAE’s leadership in creating regulations for air taxi operations.

Spanning 3,100 square meters, DXV will feature a dedicated take-off and landing area, electric charging stations, passenger facilities, and security measures. Authorities confirmed that the station will handle up to 42,000 landings and 170,000 passengers annually.

The first phase of Dubai’s air taxi project includes four vertiport locations: Dubai International Airport, Downtown, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah. The service is set to launch in the first quarter of 2026, with DXV leading the way as the hub for this innovative transportation system.