The emirate of Abu Dhabi is taking a flight into the future. The Abu Dhabi Airports (ADA) has been appointed as the anchor investor and primary delivery partner for a new vertiport network across the emirate - part of a push to enable electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft and advanced air mobility.
This initiative is driven by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) in collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) - aligning with the emirate’s strategy to diversify its economy, embrace innovation and build the next generation of smart transport solutions.
The Project
The vertiport network will include more than 10 state-of-the-art vertiports across Abu Dhabi, fully integrated into the wider transport system. Key hubs like Zayed International Airport (AUH) and Al Bateen Executive Airport (AZI) are already confirmed as initial sites.
Drones Are Changing the Landscape of Transport & Logistics in the UAE
Each vertiport will connect to ground transport, digital systems and the broader infrastructure overseen by Abu Dhabi Mobility, enabling seamless multimodal travel.
For Abu Dhabi, the importance is multi-fold:
It positions the emirate as a global leader in advanced air mobility, and not just a follower.
It supports sustainability by enabling low-emission eVTOL aircraft to serve business, tourism and urban-mobility needs.
It links major hubs — such as business districts, tourism sites like Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, as well as airport nodes — thereby improving connectivity in ways traditional transport cannot.
The Role of Abu Dhabi Airports
As the anchor partner, Abu Dhabi Airports will lead design, construction, operations and commercial readiness of the vertiport network. They’ll ensure the infrastructure meets operational and safety standards and aligns with the existing airport and aviation ecosystem.
Abu Dhabi Airports has partnered with Skyports Infrastructure for the design, construction and engineering of each vertiport.
Once construction is complete, both entities intend to partner on vertiport operations, including passenger handling, security processing, cargo operations and integration with the eVTOL operators.
The battery-powered eVTOL aircraft will be piloted and capable of carrying up to four passengers, providing a quieter, cleaner alternative to traditional helicopters.
With a noise footprint approximately 100 times quieter than a helicopter when cruising overhead, their sustainable operation reflects the UAE’s commitment to environmentally responsible transport innovation.
Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “This mandate is a bold vote of confidence in our ability to drive the future of next generation mobility. With the evolution of technology and the growing demand for efficient, green mobility, air taxis represent a natural extension of our role as an airport operator.
"The strong collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Integrated Transport Centre, and the General Civil Aviation Authority has been instrumental in turning this ambitious initiative into a reality, paving the way toward an even more connected, innovative, and sustainable future for the UAE.”
Development will proceed in phases - initial sites, construction of vertiports, integration with existing transport, regulatory and safety frameworks via the GCAA - and then rollout of inter-city eVTOL routes and services.
Duncan Walker, CEO, Skyports Infrastructure, said: “This vertiport network is a key component of Abu Dhabi’s AAM strategy. With Skyports already having active vertiport projects under development both in the UAE and beyond, we feel we are in the best position to apply our previous knowledge and expertise and help bring the benefits of AAM to the UAE’s largest emirate.”
Abu Dhabi is underlining that its ambitions go beyond conventional transport. With Abu Dhabi Airports at the helm, this vertiport network is a tangible step toward a future where flying taxis and vertical mobility form a part of everyday travel.
Read More: ADIO and Abu Dhabi Mobility Unveil UAE’s First Operational Vertiport