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Hamdan bin Mohammed gives green light for construction of Dubai’s first aerial taxi vertiport

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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, in the presence of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai, gave the green light for the construction of Dubai’s first aerial taxi vertiport near Dubai International Airport. 

The initiative is set to make Dubai the world’s first city to offer urban aerial transport through an advanced aerial taxi take-off and landing network.

Featuring a modern design that complements Dubai’s urban landscape, the vertiport is set to offer passengers a unique, comfortable and seamless mobility experience.

Spanning 3,100 square metres, the vertiport features designated zones for take-off and landing, aircraft charging, a dedicated aerial taxi apron, and a parking area. With a capacity for approximately 42,000 landings annually, it is expected to serve around 170,000 riders per year.

Upon arrival at RTA headquarters, Sheikh Hamdan was welcomed by Mattar Al Tayer, Director-General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of RTA, senior RTA officials, and JoeBen Bevert, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, the aerial taxi manufacturer, and Damien Kisly, Head of Infrastructure EMEA at SkyPorts, the company responsible for designing and constructing the vertiport’s infrastructure, Contemporary design.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed attended a presentation on the Aerial Taxi vertiport’s contemporary design, which reflects Dubai’s iconic urban aesthetic, offering users a seamless and comfortable travel experience. The vertiport includes air-conditioned facilities built to the highest global safety standards. In collaboration with leading international operators, Joby Aviation will manage aircraft manufacturing, operations, and passenger movement, while Skyports will oversee the design, construction, and operation of the vertiport’s infrastructure. RTA will be responsible for governance and integration with other transport modes. The aerial taxi service is expected to launch in Q1 2026.

The Joby S4 aerial taxi is capable of vertical take-off and landing, operating as a sustainable, eco-friendly electric vehicle with zero emissions. Known for safety, comfort, and speed, the aerial taxi incorporates advanced technology with six rotors and four battery packs, enabling a flight range of up to 161 km at a maximum speed of 321 km/h. With a capacity for four passengers plus a pilot, the aerial taxi generates significantly less noise compared to traditional helicopters.

Al Tayer elaborated on the project, stating: “In the initial phase, the aerial taxi service will operate from four strategic locations close to Dubai International Airport, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, and Palm Jumeirah. This service provides Dubai residents and visitors with a new, rapid, and secure transport option to key city locations. For example, a journey from Dubai International Airport to Palm Jumeirah is anticipated to take approximately 12 minutes, compared to 45 minutes by car. The service also supports integration with public transport modes and individual transport solutions like e-scooters and bicycles, promoting multimodal transport and city-wide connectivity to deliver a smooth travel experience.”

Earlier this year, RTA signed an agreement to launch the aerial taxi service with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Skyports Infrastructure, a UK-based leader in advanced aerial mobility infrastructure development, and Joby Aviation, a US-based specialist in aerial vehicles.

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Announcements

UAE fuel prices for June announced: Petrol edges closer to Dh4 a litre

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The UAE announced revised fuel prices for June 2026, with motorists set to pay significantly more for petrol while diesel costs decline compared to the previous month.

The latest adjustment is particularly notable as it marks the country’s first monthly fuel pricing update since formally leaving both OPEC and OPEC+ earlier this year.

Beginning June 1, Super 98 petrol will be priced at Dh3.95 per litre, up from Dh3.66 in May. Special 95 will rise to Dh3.83 per litre from Dh3.55, while E-Plus 91 will increase from Dh3.48 to Dh3.76 per litre.

In contrast, diesel users will benefit from a reduction, with prices falling from Dh4.69 per litre in May to Dh4.33 in June.

The latest increase extends a three-month upward trend in petrol prices, reflecting ongoing volatility in global energy markets and fluctuations in crude oil prices.

Impact on residents

For households across the UAE, fuel price movements remain a key economic indicator, influencing transportation costs, daily commuting expenses and overall household budgets. Rising petrol prices can have a noticeable impact on monthly spending, particularly for residents who rely heavily on private vehicles.

The June pricing announcement comes just weeks after the UAE officially ended its six-decade membership in OPEC and OPEC+, a move that took effect on May 1, 2026.

The revised prices will come into effect from June1, 2026.

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Dubai announces Dh1.5 billion package to protect jobs and support businesses

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Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has approved a fresh Dh1.5 billion economic support package aimed at protecting jobs, easing pressure on businesses and strengthening Dubai’s economy during a challenging period for the region.

The latest measures bring the total value of Dubai’s recent economic support initiatives to Dh2.5 billion, following an earlier Dh1 billion package introduced earlier this year.

The new package includes 33 initiatives that will be rolled out over the next three to 12 months, targeting key sectors including tourism, hospitality, trade, education and customs services.

One of the biggest beneficiaries is Dubai’s hotel and tourism industry, with several major fee relief measures announced to reduce operating costs.

Hotels across the emirate will be allowed to postpone 100 per cent of government sales fees on rooms as well as food and beverage services for three months. The relief applies to hotels, hotel apartments and holiday homes.

Dubai has also postponed the Tourism Dirham fee, a charge applied to hotel stays for up to 30 consecutive nights, for the same period. Hotels will additionally be exempt from permit, postponement and cancellation fees related to events.

Retailers and commercial businesses are also expected to benefit, with Dubai removing additional charges linked to sales campaigns and promotional offers. The move is likely to encourage more discounts and shopping promotions across the city over the coming months.

The package further includes streamlined procedures for residency permit issuance and renewals, although detailed implementation guidelines are yet to be announced.

Other sectors receiving support include education, customs, transport and aviation. Measures include deferred licence renewal fees for educational institutions, payment deferrals in the transport sector, an 80 per cent reduction in customs fines and a 50 per cent cut in fees for renewing civil aviation permits.

In a statement shared on X, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said the initiatives reinforce Dubai’s economic resilience and competitiveness while strengthening partnerships between the government and private sector.

He added that Dubai remains committed to supporting businesses and residents while continuing to position itself as a leading global economic hub.

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Dubai property boom fuels ANAROCK’s Middle East expansion plans

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ANAROCK Group has announced a major leadership reshuffle as it looks to expand its footprint across the Middle East and Europe, with a strong focus on Dubai’s growing real estate market.

The independent real estate consultancy said the appointments come as the region enters a new phase of growth, driven by rising investor confidence, infrastructure expansion and increasing demand across residential and institutional real estate sectors.

New leadership appointments

Anuj Kejriwal has been appointed CEO, EMEA, while continuing his current role as Founding Partner and Head of Retail Advisory.

In his expanded position, Kejriwal will oversee the rollout of ANAROCK’s institutional advisory services across the Middle East, including capital markets, land services, consulting and valuation.

The company said Dubai will act as the launchpad for its wider regional expansion strategy before moving into broader European markets.

Meanwhile, Aayush Puri has been named CEO – Residential, Middle East and CEO of ANAROCK Channel Partner (ACP).

He will lead the firm’s residential business across the region while continuing to oversee the international operations of ANACITY, the group’s proptech and property management platform.

Focus on Dubai’s growth

According to ANAROCK, Dubai’s real estate market remains one of the key long-term growth drivers for the company, supported by strong economic fundamentals and sustained investor demand.

The firm also plans to hire senior local talent across consulting, residential and capital markets divisions as part of its expansion push.

Anuj Puri, Chairman of ANAROCK Group, said the leadership changes reflect the company’s commitment to strengthening its regional presence and capturing new cross-border opportunities in one of the world’s most dynamic real estate markets.

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