VPorts, a leader in the design, construction and operation of advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure, will require a commitment on airspace management to help it expand further from its base in Dubai South, said Fethi Chebil, CEO and founder.

Earlier this year, Vports initiated the certification process for its vertiports as part of the world’s first AAM integrator centre at the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) in Dubai South. Construction of the vertiports will start in 2024.

Speaking to FINN, Chebil said: “We hope that in Dubai we could have a clear commitment in terms of airspace. These machines can fly easily and smoothly in Dubai – once the airspace is available for flying, people will come and will do flight testing.

“We’re discussing right now with the air navigation service providers. You can have the best technology, you can have the social acceptance, you can be certified, but if there is no airspace that can you can leverage to scale then it will not work.”

Vports vertiports certification

The certification process for Vports’ vertiports will put Dubai at the front of the pack for AAM development.

The process will start with the design approval phase, and VPorts plans to obtain design approval for the world centre within six months – a key step in the construction phase.

The certification of the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) vertiport will follow shortly afterwards.

Vports also plans to create the first international electric AAM corridor between Syracuse Hancock International Airport (New York, US) and VPorts’ vertiport in Mirabel (Québec, Canada).

This corridor will foster the establishment of an AAM ecosystem that will provide a platform for full commercial cargo transport operations using electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft (large, helicopter-sized “drones”).
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