Photo: Skyports
Abu Dhabi and Dubai are taking the lead when it comes to AAM (Advanced Air Mobility), but Ras Al Khaimah, the sixth-largest city in UAE, isn't far behind either. Local transport and tourism authorities in the Ras Al Khaimah Emirate have joined forces with an acclaimed vertiport developer for a bold eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) mobility project.
Ras Al Khaimah estimates an average of 3.5 million visitors every year in the coming years and is determined to provide zero-emission transport options for them by the end of this decade. For instance, tourists traveling from Al Marjan Island to the stunning Jebel Jais (the highest peak in UAE) could fly an electric taxi; this would not only cut emissions but also avoid the typical traffic and get them there faster; an air taxi could cover this route in less than 20 minutes, while currently, it takes 70 minutes to cover the same route by car.
Local authorities and industry members in the UAE have initiated partnerships with several eVTOL makers from all over the world, but none of this means anything without adequate infrastructure. That is why the Ras Al Khaimah officials have decided to partner with Skyports to develop a wide infrastructure network for air taxi service.
Together with RAKTA (Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority) and RAKTDA (Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority), Skyports will oversee this large-scale project from design to commercial operations. One of the most important requirements is for it to integrate the existing RAKTA network.
Founded in 2018, Skyports currently has offices in Boston, London, Dubai, and Singapore. It's comprised of Skyports Infrastructure, which designs, builds, and operates vertiports, and Skyports Drone Services, which harnesses the benefits of drone technology for rural deliveries, surveys, and surveillance operations.
The Skyports London Heliport, located just five minutes away (by car) from Canary Wharf and 20 minutes away from London, is the company's greatest infrastructure achievement so far and a milestone for the AAM industry. Skyports was also involved in similar projects in France, California, and Dubai.
Back in 2019, Skyports was also the first eVTOL infrastructure company to unveil a functional vertiport model. It was built and displayed at Marina Bay, Singapore. German eVTOL maker Volocopter was the main partner in this pioneering project, and visitors were able to admire it for five days.
Skyports isn't the only big AAM infrastructure player involved in vertiport projects across the UAE. VPorts will also build a state-of-the-art eVTOL hub in Dubai South. This will be more than a vertiport and will include dedicated flight test airspace for eVTOLs, making it the world's first AAM integrator center.
With multiple air taxi purchase agreements and several vertiport projects underway in different locations, the UAE is gearing up to become one of the top electric air mobility hubs in the world.
Local authorities and industry members in the UAE have initiated partnerships with several eVTOL makers from all over the world, but none of this means anything without adequate infrastructure. That is why the Ras Al Khaimah officials have decided to partner with Skyports to develop a wide infrastructure network for air taxi service.
Together with RAKTA (Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority) and RAKTDA (Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority), Skyports will oversee this large-scale project from design to commercial operations. One of the most important requirements is for it to integrate the existing RAKTA network.
Founded in 2018, Skyports currently has offices in Boston, London, Dubai, and Singapore. It's comprised of Skyports Infrastructure, which designs, builds, and operates vertiports, and Skyports Drone Services, which harnesses the benefits of drone technology for rural deliveries, surveys, and surveillance operations.
The Skyports London Heliport, located just five minutes away (by car) from Canary Wharf and 20 minutes away from London, is the company's greatest infrastructure achievement so far and a milestone for the AAM industry. Skyports was also involved in similar projects in France, California, and Dubai.
Back in 2019, Skyports was also the first eVTOL infrastructure company to unveil a functional vertiport model. It was built and displayed at Marina Bay, Singapore. German eVTOL maker Volocopter was the main partner in this pioneering project, and visitors were able to admire it for five days.
Skyports isn't the only big AAM infrastructure player involved in vertiport projects across the UAE. VPorts will also build a state-of-the-art eVTOL hub in Dubai South. This will be more than a vertiport and will include dedicated flight test airspace for eVTOLs, making it the world's first AAM integrator center.
With multiple air taxi purchase agreements and several vertiport projects underway in different locations, the UAE is gearing up to become one of the top electric air mobility hubs in the world.
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