Briefing

Advanced Air Mobility in the UAE: From vision to commercial reality

In our previous briefing, we outlined the UAE’s ambitious plans to lead the way in developing the world’s first Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem and how through commercial deals and carving out a bespoke AAM regulatory landscape, the UAE intended to achieve its goals.

Since then, the region has not simply maintained momentum – it has materially accelerated it. In this briefing we focus on four developments in particular that mark a genuine inflection point: the certification of the world’s first purpose-built commercial vertiport in Dubai, the formation of a manufacturing joint venture between Joby Aviation and Toyota Motor Corporation, continued progress on Joby’s FAA and UAE regulatory certification pathways, and the ongoing development of dedicated aerial corridors across the UAE. Together, they demonstrate that the Middle East – and the UAE in particular – is now one of the world’s leading proving grounds for commercial eVTOL operations.

The world’s first certified commercial vertiport

On 6 July 2026, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and Skyports Infrastructure jointly announced that VDX – a four-storey, purpose-built vertiport adjacent to Dubai International Airport – had received full regulatory certification for eVTOL aircraft operations. In doing so, the UAE became the first country in the world to certify a purpose-built commercial vertiport, establishing an international benchmark in the process.

The facility spans approximately 3,100 square metres, features two dedicated take-off and landing pads, rapid charging infrastructure, and passenger processing facilities capable of handling up to 170,000 travellers annually. It will serve as the primary hub of Dubai’s planned air taxi network, with three further vertiports under development by Skyports, in partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA).

Critically, the certification smooths the regulatory path for the launch of Joby Aviation’s air taxi service in Dubai – with planned routes connecting Dubai International Airport (DXB), Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina and Downtown Dubai. The DXB-to-Palm Jumeirah journey is expected to take approximately ten minutes by air, compared to 45 minutes by road.

A manufacturing alliance to support scaled deployment

Infrastructure addresses only one half of the commercial equation with the supply of eVTOL aircraft at scale representing the other. On 30 June 2026, Joby and Toyota announced the launch of a joint venture, Joby Toyota Aero Manufacturing Preparation Company – an alliance combining Joby’s eVTOL expertise with Toyota’s globally recognised production systems and quality management capabilities. The joint venture is set to initially focus on manufacturing excellence, productivity, and cost reduction, before expanding to support increased production capacity as demand grows – including aircraft needed to service the Dubai network and future expansion.

Certification progress: FAA and UAE in parallel

The UAE’s preparedness of its infrastructure for commercial AAM operations comes soon after Joby entered the final phase of the FAA’s five-stage type certification process in March 2026, representing a significant stride towards Joby’s ambitions for full commercial operations by the end of 2026. In doing so, Joby now has its sights set on Type Certification within the year, subject to completion of any remaining compliance requirements. In parallel with the anticipated FAA certification, Joby is advancing through a bespoke qualification programme with the UAE’s regulator, the GCAA, that may permit limited passenger operations in Dubai before full FAA type certification is granted. The UAE and US authorities are working cooperatively, with certification data being shared between the regulators where appropriate.

Commercial air taxi services in Dubai remain targeted for 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.

A region-wide commitment

The UAE is on course to become the world’s first dual-operator eVTOL market. While Joby holds the exclusive rights to provide RTA air taxi services in Dubai, Archer Aviation completed the first test flight of its Midnight aircraft at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi in July 2025, with Abu Dhabi targeting commercial operations from late 2026 or early 2027 across a network of at least ten vertiports. Elsewhere in the region, Saudi Arabia is progressing discussions with Joby on aircraft certification, and Bahrain has signed a Framework Agreement with Eve Air Mobility, targeting initial operations by 2028.

Building the airspace of the future

Certified vertiports and aircraft are two obvious major steps towards commercial AAM operations in the UAE – but these steps will not be enough. Aircraft must have clearly defined, regulated routes through complex urban airspace. This is where the UAE’s broader airspace development programme becomes significant.

Working through a coalition of national bodies – including the GCAA, the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) and the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) – the UAE is developing a dedicated framework for integrating both piloted and autonomous air taxis and cargo drones into existing aviation airspace. The initiative envisages designated aerial corridors connecting key airports and major urban destinations across the country, supported by regulatory standards governing vehicle separation, air traffic coordination, and operational safety. In effect, the UAE is building the equivalent of a road network in the sky.

The significance of this programme extends beyond the UAE’s own commercial ambitions. As regulators globally grapple with the challenge of integrating eVTOL aircraft into existing airspace – a problem for which no established international standard yet exists – the UAE’s proactive, whole-system approach may provide a practical blueprint for others. The combination of vertiport certification, aircraft qualification, and corridor-mapping within a single coherent regulatory programme is precisely what distinguishes the UAE’s strategy.

Comment

In yet another first in the developing world of Advanced Air Mobility, the GCAA’s certification of VDX demonstrates that a national regulator has successfully developed and applied a framework for an entirely new category of aviation infrastructure. That framework – characterised by proactive regulation and close industry collaboration – is already serving as a reference point for regulators in other jurisdictions. With Joby pressing forward with plans to scale development of its eVTOL aircraft through its joint venture with Toyota and Joby’s exclusive rights to operate Dubai’s air taxis, the California based manufacturer has indicated to the world its readiness to make flying taxis a reality in Dubai. While certification remains a key hurdle to overcome, Joby has made significant strides in its joint efforts with both the FAA and the GCAA, with certification now seemingly on the horizon.

Questions around liability, insurance, and the interplay between the GCAA’s regulatory approach and the international frameworks being developed by the FAA, EASA and others remain live, not to mention highly anticipated global regulatory guidance from ICAO – with direct implications for operators seeking to scale across multiple jurisdictions. For operators, investors, insurers, and financiers though, the time to develop a considered legal and commercial strategy is now, before the networks launch and the contractual frameworks that will govern this new mode of transport become established practice.

HFW’s aerospace team advises clients across the full spectrum of aerospace matters, including in the developing world of AAM, whether relating to regulatory issues, commercial agreements, insurance, liability, or dispute resolution. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to discuss any of the issues raised in this briefing.