Flying taxis step closer as Abu Dhabi approves first hybrid heliport
The heliport, located at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Zayed Port, is part of the broader Abu Dhabi Air Taxi project and is designed to accommodate both conventional helicopters and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Developed through a partnership between Abu Dhabi Ports Group, Falcon Aviation Services, and Archer Aviation, the heliport will serve as a launch point for future air taxi services planned to begin by 2026. The site was chosen for its proximity to key tourist destinations and high foot traffic — Zayed Port welcomes more than 650,000 cruise passengers annually.
The GCAA's approval also introduces a regulatory milestone: the world's first standards for hybrid heliport infrastructure. These standards are intended to guide the safe integration of eVTOLs alongside traditional rotorcraft and are expected to be finalized by July 2025.
'This milestone reflects the UAE's commitment to innovation in the aviation sector,' said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director-General of the GCAA. He described the regulatory framework as a necessary step toward a mixed-mode air transport system that includes both helicopters and emerging electric aircraft.
Archer CEO Adam Goldstein emphasized that adapting existing aviation sites, like the cruise terminal heliport, is a key strategy for accelerating air taxi deployment. 'It allows us to move both quickly and safely — getting critical infrastructure ready ahead of our planned commercial air taxi launch,' he said.
The heliport's upgrade comes amid growing interest in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) as cities globally explore new transport models to ease congestion and reduce emissions. The Abu Dhabi Air Taxi project aims to connect major parts of the city through short-hop flights using quiet, battery-powered aircraft.
The hybrid heliport is expected to offer faster transit options for visitors arriving by sea, with direct access to nearby landmarks such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Saadiyat Cultural District.
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