UAE approves first hybrid heliport design
Paving the way for eco-friendly air taxi services set to launch by 2026
UAE Approves First Hybrid Heliport Design at Zayed Port, Abu Dhabi
Major step toward launching sustainable air taxi services by 2026
The United Arab Emirates has officially approved the design for its first hybrid heliport, a major leap toward transforming urban mobility in the capital. The heliport will be located at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal in Zayed Port—one of the region’s busiest cruise hubs, hosting over 650,000 visitors annually.
The announcement came on Wednesday, April 23, from the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), marking a significant milestone in the Abu Dhabi Air Taxi initiative.With operations expected to start in 2026, this project seeks to pioneer high-tech, environmentally friendly aerial transportation around the city.
Key partners such as AD Ports Group, Falcon Aviation Services, and Archer Aviation, a U.S.-based air mobility company, are working together to create the heliport. What makes this facility “hybrid” is its dual capacity—it will support both conventional helicopters and the latest electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which are designed for low-noise, zero-emission flight.
According to GCAA Director-General Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, the project represents a new chapter in aviation, powered by innovation and strategic partnerships. “This development positions the UAE at the forefront of advanced air mobility,” he stated.
The GCAA also revealed that the UAE is the first country to draft regulatory frameworks specifically for hybrid aviation infrastructure. It is anticipated that the final guidelines will be released by July 2025 and will guarantee the safe integration of helicopters and eVTOL aircraft from the same platforms.
With early commercial services being developed in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA), the hybrid heliport is a component of Archer Aviation’s larger infrastructure deployment in the United Arab Emirates.
Using current aviation assets to speed up the rollout of air taxi networks is crucial, according to Archer CEO Adam Goldstein. Captain Ramandeep Oberoi, the CEO of Falcon Aviation, praised the renovation of the venerable heliport as a landmark turning point for local aviation.
The combination of cruise tourism and air mobility at Zayed Port will offer residents and tourists quicker and more environmentally friendly travel options, further solidifying Abu Dhabi’s position as a pioneer in contemporary transportation solutions, said Noura Rashed Al Dhaheri, CEO of Cruise Business at AD Ports Group.
With the approved design, the UAE is one step closer to introducing the first air taxi service in the region, which will revolutionize short-distance transport by combining sustainability, speed, and convenience.
