Last year, British architecture studio Foster + Partners, founded by internationally famous architect Norman Foster introduced a design concept for a vertiport terminal near Dubai International Airport (DXB) that will offer air taxi services. The project was developed in collaboration with Skyports Infrastructure, a leading provider of Vertiport technology for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), and approved by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai.
Skyports Infrastructure, in partnership with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), is currently evaluating four initial sites, including the DXB Vertiport. These locations are part of an envisioned eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) infrastructure network, designed to connect Dubai’s most densely populated and iconic areas, providing residents with fast, zero-emission travel. The Vertiport network will seamlessly integrate with key transport hubs such as the RTA’s Dubai Metro and DXB. According to the Foster + Partners studio, this network of vertiports for air taxi services is expected to be ready to use by 2026.
Foster + Partners’ terminal concept features a rectangular elevated deck for optimised take-offs and landings. Surrounded by lush greenery, the building wraps around the vertiport airfield, connecting to arrival and departure lounges. Its glass walls allow one to admire sweeping views of planes and the surrounding cityscape. To prevent overheating, the structure is shielded from direct sunlight by an overhanging roof and tilted façade, which harmonises with the nearby metro station. The terminal’s interiors are designed with warm, natural materials to create a welcoming, earthy ambience.
About Skyports Infrastructure
Established in 2018 by Leslie Morrish, Patricia Morrish, Rachel Walker, Duncan Walker, and Simon Morrish, Skyports is a British company specialising in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Their expertise spans technology, airspace, engineering, real estate, operations, and consulting. Skyports develops and operates the landing infrastructure for electric air taxis and leverages drone technology for diverse business applications.
Skyports Infrastructure is integral to the Urban Air Mobility ecosystem, designing, building, owning, and managing vertiports that enable eVTOL aircraft to operate in and around cities worldwide. In addition, Skyports Drone Services provides drone solutions to help businesses enhance logistics, gather critical data, and boost operational efficiency. The company is active across different sectors, which include rural delivery, surveying, surveillance, and maritime operations.
To get more information about the Vertiport Terminal project, please go to its official web page.
You may also be interested in reading our article about Norman Foster’s other projects in the Gulf region, including the New Sustainable Red Sea International (RSI) Airport in Saudi Arabia. We would also recommend that you read our article about Downtown Circle by ZNera Space.
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