Aviation UAE begins mapping corridors for air taxis and cargo drones By Neil Halligan February 14, 2025, 3:41 PM Alamy via Reuters A positive step for advanced air mobility in the UAE: mapping and regulatory processes are underway, with initial focus on cargo drones UAE focus on cargo drones Routes from airports to landmarks Passengers from 2026 The UAE has started mapping air corridors and preparing the regulatory framework to allow piloted and autonomous air taxis and cargo drones to take to the skies. The General Civil Aviation Authority and two entities from the Advanced Technology Research Council – Technology Innovation Institute and Aspire – will map out the routes and rules of operation “within the next 20 months”, they said in a statement. The defined routes will connect airports and landmark locations in the UAE. “Air corridor mapping for piloted and autonomous air taxis and drones is a crucial milestone that will enable the seamless implementation of advanced air mobility into the UAE’s infrastructure,” said Saif Al Suwaidi, director general of the GCAA. Technology Innovation Institute will focus on the technical aspects of advanced air mobility, while Aspire, a research and development funding organisation, will manage input from regulators, industry leaders and researchers to establish the regulatory framework. Three vertiport locations identified in Abu Dhabi Flying taxis ‘within a decade’ says Saudi Arabia Dubai company to launch flying cars in Mena Dubai and Abu Dhabi have established plans to introduce vertical take-off and landing aircraft, with locations for the first vertiports (a micro-scale airport) established in each emirate. Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation have signed agreements to operate the first flights from airports to the most popular areas in Dubai and Abu Dhabi respectively, with 2026 announced as when they will begin passenger operations. John Grant, a consultant from Midas Aviation, said while it is a positive step, the initial focus will be on cargo drones. Middle East drone deliveries are expected to grow significantly over the next decade “Do not expect to see any commercial passenger drones buzzing Sheikh Zayed highway in two years’ time or landing at the airport. That is still a long way from reality, but getting your Amazon package dropped off is a real possibility,” he said. “Indeed, not quite on the same scale, but Amazon has identified an area in the UK for courier trials which should start in a few months.” Grant said that when passenger operations start, ordinary travellers might be priced out of using them in the initial phases. “In the very long term, anything that improves connectivity between residential and commercial districts to the local airports is great and welcome, but we also need to think about the price point for such travel. It will certainly only be for the very wealthy in the early stages,” Grant said.
