GCAA grants Design Acceptance for first hybrid heliport at Zayed Port
ABU DHABI (WAM) The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has granted a Design Acceptance for the country's first hybrid Heliport at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Zayed Port, as part of the visionary Abu Dhabi Air Taxi project.Developed in strategic collaboration with AD Ports Group, Falcon Aviation Services and Archer Aviation, the hybrid Heliport represents a transformative step toward integrated, sustainable air transport across the emirate.This hybrid Heliport is the first in the UAE designed to accommodate both traditional helicopters and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft like Archer's Midnight, offering a versatile, future-ready model for urban mobility.It is planned as part of Archer's broader infrastructure network in the UAE, with early air taxi commercial operations planned with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA).This first site was chosen due to its location at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Zayed Port, which is a leading hub for the regional cruise industry, welcoming more than 650,000 visitors every year.It is also a gateway to the capital's most renowned cultural and leisure destinations, providing easy access to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Saadiyat Cultural District.The GCAA has become the first civil aviation authority globally to develop regulatory standards for hybrid infrastructure—a pioneering framework designed to support the safe, interoperable, and efficient operation of both helicopters and eVTOLs from a single platform.Following extensive industry consultation, these proposed standards are now being finalised and are on track for publication by July 2025, marking a significant step toward the seamless integration of advanced air mobility into existing aviation ecosystems.Director-General of the GCAA, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, said, 'This milestone is not just about infrastructure—it reflects the UAE's unwavering commitment to innovation and global leadership in Advanced Air Mobility.''Through our close collaboration with Archer, AD Ports Group, and Falcon Aviation Services, we are enabling a future where sustainable, high-tech air transport becomes a core part of our urban landscape. This approval represents a new era for civil aviation, driven by partnership and vision.'Assistant Director General of the GCAA – Aviation Safety Affairs Sector, Aqeel Al Zarouni, said, 'By developing the world's first regulatory standards for hybrid infrastructure, the GCAA is positioning the UAE at the forefront of global aviation innovation."He added that this framework ensures that air mobility infrastructure is safe, efficient, and adaptable—laying the foundation for the seamless integration of both helicopters and next-generation eVTOL aircraft within a unified operational environment.CEO and co-founder of Archer, Adam Goldstein, said, "Leveraging existing aviation assets is a cornerstone of our launch strategy. It allows us to move both quickly and safely —getting critical infrastructure ready ahead of our planned commercial air taxi launch. This achievement has only been possible through strong partnerships with the GCAA, AD Ports Group and Falcon Aviation Services.'CEO of Falcon Aviation Services, Captain Ramandeep Oberoi, said, 'This heliport has long served as a gateway for visitors to explore Abu Dhabi from the sky, and its transformation into a Hybrid Heliport marks an exciting new chapter.'CEO of Cruise Business at AD Ports Group, Noura Rashed Al Dhaheri, stated, "Our state-of-the-art facility at Zayed port, in addition to our renowned operational efficiency, will enable us to provide faster and more sustainable services to our customers and further solidify Abu Dhabi's position as a leader in the cruise industry offering innovative extraordinary experiences.'The hybrid Heliport will serve as a key launch point for the Abu Dhabi Air Taxi service, planned for rollout by 2026, connecting key locations across the city with quiet and efficient air mobility solutions.
The Abu Dhabi Air Taxi project, supported by a powerful public-private collaboration, places the emirate at the forefront of the global AAM sector and sets a benchmark for cities worldwide seeking to integrate eVTOLs into their transport networks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Zawya
a day ago
- Zawya
AD Ports Group expands network of international offices with first office in China
AD Ports Group, a leading enabler of global trade, logistics, and industry, officially launched its first International Office in China, marking a major milestone in its global expansion strategy. Located at the centre of China's policymaking and planning, the new office will lead and coordinate the Group's commercial and investment activities across the country and the broader Asia region. Complementing the Group's network of more than 140 offices worldwide, the new international office in China was officially opened by Samir Chaturvedi, Chief International Business Officer - AD Ports Group and CEO of Noatum Logistics; Abdulaziz Zayed Al-Shamsi, Regional CEO - AD Ports Group; Ellie Hioe, General Manager of Noatum Logistics – Greater China. By establishing a presence in China's capital, the office will enable closer engagement with key government stakeholders, strategic partners, clients and investors, and help the Group align with the nation's development priorities and respond swiftly to emerging trade and logistics opportunities. From the same location, Noatum Logistics, the logistics arm for the Group, will also operate its new commercial branch for the Beijing-Tianjin region, a key domestic market with combined population of over 110 million. Specifically, the office will play a key role in advancing the Group's presence domestically and along China's Belt and Road network, which includes maritime routes linking Asia, Africa, and Europe, and multimodal overland corridors connecting markets across China, Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. It will also serve as a vital platform to connect potential clients and investors into AD Ports Group's integrated global trade and logistics ecosystem, while coordinating investments, fostering new business ventures, and facilitating capital inflows from Chinese investors into the UAE. Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said, 'As the world's largest exporter and driver of supply chain development, China is actively reshaping international trade. AD Ports Group shares China's vision for greater cross border integration, and through our newly established Beijing office, we will work closely with our Chinese partners to support the expansion of key local, regional and international trade corridors and deliver cutting edge shipping, infrastructure, and logistics solutions. We look forward to furthering our mutual investment flows and unlocking lasting value for our customers, investors and communities, creating a more connected, resilient and prosperous future for all.' As part of its China growth strategy, the Group will be expanding Noatum Logistics in-country capacities to offer a full suite of holistic end-to-end logistics solutions tailored specifically to the needs of China's own rapidly expanding domestic market, whose GDP is expected to grow at CAGR 3.5% through 2030. With its logistics market projected to rise at a 4.6% CAGR through 2030, the Group aims to become a major logistics player serving China's key industry sectors across every link of their supply chain.
Gulf Today
a day ago
- Gulf Today
AD Ports Group expands network of international offices with first office in China
AD Ports Group, a leading enabler of global trade, logistics, and industry, officially launched its first International Office in China, marking a major milestone in its global expansion strategy. Located at the centre of China's policymaking and planning, the new office will lead and coordinate the Group's commercial and investment activities across the country and the broader Asia region. Complementing the Group's network of more than 140 offices worldwide, the new international office in China was officially opened by Samir Chaturvedi, Chief International Business Officer - AD Ports Group and CEO of Noatum Logistics; Abdulaziz Zayed Al-Shamsi, Regional CEO - AD Ports Group; Ellie Hioe, General Manager of Noatum Logistics – Greater China. By establishing a presence in China's capital, the office will enable closer engagement with key government stakeholders, strategic partners, clients and investors, and help the Group align with the nation's development priorities and respond swiftly to emerging trade and logistics opportunities. From the same location, Noatum Logistics, the logistics arm for the Group, will also operate its new commercial branch for the Beijing-Tianjin region, a key domestic market with combined population of over 110 million. Specifically, the office will play a key role in advancing the Group's presence domestically and along China's Belt and Road network, which includes maritime routes linking Asia, Africa, and Europe, and multimodal overland corridors connecting markets across China, Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe. It will also serve as a vital platform to connect potential clients and investors into AD Ports Group's integrated global trade and logistics ecosystem, while coordinating investments, fostering new business ventures, and facilitating capital inflows from Chinese investors into the UAE. Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said, 'As the world's largest exporter and driver of supply chain development, China is actively reshaping international trade. AD Ports Group shares China's vision for greater cross border integration, and through our newly established Beijing office, we will work closely with our Chinese partners to support the expansion of key local, regional and international trade corridors and deliver cutting edge shipping, infrastructure, and logistics solutions. We look forward to furthering our mutual investment flows and unlocking lasting value for our customers, investors and communities, creating a more connected, resilient and prosperous future for all.' As part of its China growth strategy, the Group will be expanding Noatum Logistics in-country capacities to offer a full suite of holistic end-to-end logistics solutions tailored specifically to the needs of China's own rapidly expanding domestic market, whose GDP is expected to grow at CAGR 3.5% through 2030. With its logistics market projected to rise at a 4.6% CAGR through 2030, the Group aims to become a major logistics player serving China's key industry sectors across every link of their supply chain. WAM
Al Etihad
a day ago
- Al Etihad
AD Ports Group expands network of international offices with first office in China
24 July 2025 16:20 ABU DHABI (WAM) AD Ports Group, a leading enabler of global trade, logistics, and industry, officially launched its first International Office in China, marking a major milestone in its global expansion at the centre of China's policymaking and planning, the new office will lead and coordinate the Group's commercial and investment activities across the country and the broader Asia the Group's network of more than 140 offices worldwide, the new international office in China was officially opened by Samir Chaturvedi, Chief International Business Officer - AD Ports Group and CEO of Noatum Logistics; Abdulaziz Zayed Al-Shamsi, Regional CEO - AD Ports Group; Ellie Hioe, General Manager of Noatum Logistics – Greater establishing a presence in China's capital, the office will enable closer engagement with key government stakeholders, strategic partners, clients and investors, and help the Group align with the nation's development priorities and respond swiftly to emerging trade and logistics the same location, Noatum Logistics, the logistics arm for the Group, will also operate its new commercial branch for the Beijing-Tianjin region, a key domestic market with combined population of over 110 the office will play a key role in advancing the Group's presence domestically and along China's Belt and Road network, which includes maritime routes linking Asia, Africa, and Europe, and multimodal overland corridors connecting markets across China, Central Asia, the Middle East and will also serve as a vital platform to connect potential clients and investors into AD Ports Group's integrated global trade and logistics ecosystem, while coordinating investments, fostering new business ventures, and facilitating capital inflows from Chinese investors into the Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group, said, 'As the world's largest exporter and driver of supply chain development, China is actively reshaping international trade. AD Ports Group shares China's vision for greater cross border integration, and through our newly established Beijing office, we will work closely with our Chinese partners to support the expansion of key local, regional and international trade corridors and deliver cutting edge shipping, infrastructure, and logistics solutions. We look forward to furthering our mutual investment flows and unlocking lasting value for our customers, investors and communities, creating a more connected, resilient and prosperous future for all.'As part of its China growth strategy, the Group will be expanding Noatum Logistics in-country capacities to offer a full suite of holistic end-to-end logistics solutions tailored specifically to the needs of China's own rapidly expanding domestic market, whose GDP is expected to grow at CAGR 3.5% through 2030. With its logistics market projected to rise at a 4.6% CAGR through 2030, the Group aims to become a major logistics player serving China's key industry sectors across every link of their supply chain.
