UAE bid for air taxi leadership hits new milestone

 At the World Governments Summit 2025 saw government leaders come together – just as 130km down the Sheikh Zayed highway at the Emirates Hotel in Abu Dhabi, some 180 state representatives were getting into deep debate about regulation, sustainability and innovation at the ICAO Global Implementation Support Symposium (GISS) hosted by the UAE regulator the GCAA.

On the lawn outside the summit, a single-seat eVTOL sat awaiting clearance to take to the skies for a quick demonstration flight.

Soon that will become a familiar sight as the regulators are clearing the way of hurdles.

The Lift Hexa did leave the ties of earth and GCAA’s assistant director general, strategy & international affairs, Yousuf Hashim Al Azizi said that the UAE is expected to be the first country to operate commercial eVOTLs.  Testing will be carried out this year and commercial operations would begin by the end of 2026 or early 2027.

Government representatives travelled between the two major events and the progress in the sector became clear when the UAE was seen to take milestone step  by announcing the start of air corridor mapping and rdetails of the regulatory framework development for piloted and autonomous air taxis and cargo drones.

Through a strategic partnership between the GCAA and the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) entities—Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and ASPIRE—the UAE is on track to reshape the way people and goods move through urban spaces.

The aerial corridors and regulations are set to be defined within the next 20 months, demonstrating the  UAE’s unwavering commitment to deploying safe, advanced, sustainable transportation solutions that will not only ease congestion but also set a global benchmark for future urban mobility systems.

The plan is that the routes will connect key international airports and iconic places in the UAE, extending further to ensure seamless integration of piloted and autonomous air taxis and cargo drones across the nation’s urban landscapes.

Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, GCAA’s director general said: “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. This initiative ensures the safe and efficient adoption of air mobility, delivering transformative solutions to urban transport and paving the way for a smarter, more connected future.”

The government agency is supported by TII’s expertise in airspace management, to ensure the safe integration of piloted and autonomous air taxis and cargo drones into urban environments.

TII said the  new air corridors will offer innovative solutions for passenger and cargo transport, relieving pressure on traditional road networks and improving connectivity.

Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, said: “This transformative collaboration with GCAA is reshaping the future of urban transportation. By advancing airspace management and integrating piloted and autonomous air taxis and cargo drones, we are not only enhancing urban connectivity but also driving sustainable and accessible mobility solutions that will benefit future generations.”

Stephane Timpano from ASPIRE said: “Addressing real-time urban mobility challenges through innovative solutions like air taxis and drones is a major step forward. This initiative directly supports sustainable economic growth by creating a flexible and diverse transport system that eases pressure on urban infrastructure and fosters smarter, more resilient cities.”

Greater use of AI – a subject matter than was extensively covered during the GISS event – will be key to the success of the pioneer project.

Prof. Enrico Natalizio, chief researcher of the autonomous robotics research center at TII, said: “At TII, we’re developing advanced AI-powered control, vision and communication algorithms for autonomous systems that enable real-time decision-making for air taxis and drones. Having mastered this technology, we are able to propose methodologies for AAM corridors design to optimise routes, ensure collision avoidance, and integrate seamlessly with urban airspace, marking a key step toward efficient and safe autonomous air mobility in complex urban environments.”