The United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has approved the design for the country’s inaugural hybrid heliport at Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, Zayed Port.
“The initiative is part of the Abu Dhabi Air Taxi project, developed in collaboration with AD Ports Group, Falcon Aviation Services, and Archer Aviation,” writes regional news outlet One Arabia. “The heliport will accommodate both traditional helicopters and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.”
The GCAA has developed regulatory standards for hybrid infrastructure, designed to ensure safe and efficient operations for both helicopters and eVTOLs from a single platform. These standards are set to be published in July.
In a press release, Archer Aviation said that early operations are planned with Abu Dhabi Aviation. Archer and its partners plan to add charging infrastructure and upgrade landing and safety systems to enable use by eVTOL aircraft. “By upgrading an existing facility, Archer can capitalise on airspace regulations, zoning and structures that are already in place, without incurring the cost and time it would take to build a bespoke vertiport,” the company said.
Air Synapsis, a Dubai-based company that provides heliport and vertiport design, supplies and project management services, supported the apron and airspace design work for the development of this hybrid vertiport.
UAE has made several moves to develop the country’s advanced air mobility (AAM) in recent months, including creating AAM corridors and introducing regulations for the certification of air navigation service providers for unmanned aircraft.
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General Civil Aviation Authority – United Arab Emirates
Image: Abu Dhabi Ports graphic showing Zayed Port (centre)