UAE to define air corridors for flying taxis, cargo drones within two years

The UAE is mapping aerial corridors and developing a regulatory framework to integrate piloted and autonomous flying taxis and cargo drones into its urban transport system, the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced at the World Government Summit.

Dubai aims to become the first city globally to launch aerial taxi services, with the first commercial vertiport, Dubai International Vertiport (DXV), expected to open in early 2026 according to Khaleej Times.

Abu Dhabi will follow suit, planning vertiports at Al Bateen, Yas Island, and Khalifa Port to enhance passenger and cargo movement according to WAM.

The GCAA is collaborating with the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), including the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and ASPIRE, to establish a regulatory framework and ensure the safe integration of autonomous vehicles into urban settings.

AI-powered algorithms will play a key role in collision avoidance and air corridor management.

The initiative aims to ease road congestion, foster economic growth, and create a more sustainable urban transport system.

As the UAE positions itself as a leader in advanced air mobility, its flying taxi network is expected to transform the region’s infrastructure and set new standards for urban mobility.