GCAA grants Design Acceptance for first hybrid heliport at Zayed Port
23 Apr 2025 13:28
ABU DHABI (WAM) The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has granted a Design Acceptance for the country's first hybrid Heliport at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Zayed Port, as part of the visionary Abu Dhabi Air Taxi project.Developed in strategic collaboration with AD Ports Group, Falcon Aviation Services and Archer Aviation, the hybrid Heliport represents a transformative step toward integrated, sustainable air transport across the emirate.This hybrid Heliport is the first in the UAE designed to accommodate both traditional helicopters and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft like Archer's Midnight, offering a versatile, future-ready model for urban mobility.It is planned as part of Archer's broader infrastructure network in the UAE, with early air taxi commercial operations planned with Abu Dhabi Aviation (ADA).This first site was chosen due to its location at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal at Zayed Port, which is a leading hub for the regional cruise industry, welcoming more than 650,000 visitors every year.It is also a gateway to the capital's most renowned cultural and leisure destinations, providing easy access to the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Saadiyat Cultural District.The GCAA has become the first civil aviation authority globally to develop regulatory standards for hybrid infrastructure—a pioneering framework designed to support the safe, interoperable, and efficient operation of both helicopters and eVTOLs from a single platform.Following extensive industry consultation, these proposed standards are now being finalised and are on track for publication by July 2025, marking a significant step toward the seamless integration of advanced air mobility into existing aviation ecosystems.Director-General of the GCAA, Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, said, 'This milestone is not just about infrastructure—it reflects the UAE's unwavering commitment to innovation and global leadership in Advanced Air Mobility.''Through our close collaboration with Archer, AD Ports Group, and Falcon Aviation Services, we are enabling a future where sustainable, high-tech air transport becomes a core part of our urban landscape. This approval represents a new era for civil aviation, driven by partnership and vision.'Assistant Director General of the GCAA – Aviation Safety Affairs Sector, Aqeel Al Zarouni, said, 'By developing the world's first regulatory standards for hybrid infrastructure, the GCAA is positioning the UAE at the forefront of global aviation innovation."He added that this framework ensures that air mobility infrastructure is safe, efficient, and adaptable—laying the foundation for the seamless integration of both helicopters and next-generation eVTOL aircraft within a unified operational environment.CEO and co-founder of Archer, Adam Goldstein, said, "Leveraging existing aviation assets is a cornerstone of our launch strategy. It allows us to move both quickly and safely —getting critical infrastructure ready ahead of our planned commercial air taxi launch. This achievement has only been possible through strong partnerships with the GCAA, AD Ports Group and Falcon Aviation Services.'CEO of Falcon Aviation Services, Captain Ramandeep Oberoi, said, 'This heliport has long served as a gateway for visitors to explore Abu Dhabi from the sky, and its transformation into a Hybrid Heliport marks an exciting new chapter.'CEO of Cruise Business at AD Ports Group, Noura Rashed Al Dhaheri, stated, "Our state-of-the-art facility at Zayed port, in addition to our renowned operational efficiency, will enable us to provide faster and more sustainable services to our customers and further solidify Abu Dhabi's position as a leader in the cruise industry offering innovative extraordinary experiences.'The hybrid Heliport will serve as a key launch point for the Abu Dhabi Air Taxi service, planned for rollout by 2026, connecting key locations across the city with quiet and efficient air mobility solutions.
The Abu Dhabi Air Taxi project, supported by a powerful public-private collaboration, places the emirate at the forefront of the global AAM sector and sets a benchmark for cities worldwide seeking to integrate eVTOLs into their transport networks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ME Construction
3 hours ago
- ME Construction
AD Ports Group unveiled the inaugural phase of Tbilisi Intermodal Hub in Georgia
Infrastructure AD Ports Group unveiled the inaugural phase of Tbilisi Intermodal Hub in Georgia By The Tbilisi Dry Port, the initial phase of the Tbilisi Intermodal Hub, will be expanded by early 2026 to include long-term warehousing, container yards, truck parking, and a fourth railway spur AD Ports Group has unveiled the inaugural phase of Tbilisi Intermodal Hub, Georgia's first modern, bonded container and intermodal terminal. This logistics hub plays a crucial role in the group's emerging Central Asian transport strategy, said a statement. The rail-linked logistics centre connects the Caspian and Black seas through Georgia, forming a component of the Middle Corridor, the shortest trade route between Asia and Europe. AD Ports Group owns a 60% stake in Tbilisi Intermodal Hub, and the rest is held by Inveco, a local Georgian investment advisory firm, and Wilhelmsen Group. Ahmed bin Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, 'Under the visionary leadership of the UAE Government, we are committed to enhancing international cooperation with strategic global partners who share our vision for mutual benefit and sustainable prosperity. The inauguration of Tbilisi Intermodal Hub exemplifies this commitment by actively developing global trade routes and creating market opportunities for UAE and Georgian businesses.' Jemal Inaishvili, Founder of Inveco, Georgia added, 'The inauguration of Tbilisi Intermodal Hub is a major step for the development of the logistics sector in Georgia and Central Asia. Leveraging its extensive expertise in port operations and logistics, AD Ports Group is introducing advanced management practices to Georgia's logistics sector. This collaboration not only enhances the operational efficiency of the Tbilisi Intermodal Hub but bolsters economic ties between the UAE and Georgia.' The Tbilisi Intermodal Hub's initial phase, the Tbilisi Dry Port, is an Inland Container Depot (ICD) that handles container cargo transported by rail and truck. The group and its partners plan to expand the facility by early 2026. This expansion will include long-term warehousing, additional container yards, truck parking, and a fourth railway spur. The goal is to transform the facility into a full-service import-and-export logistics hub for all of Central Asia, a growing region that AD Ports Group positions as a growth corridor, the statement added. Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO, AD Ports Group commented, 'The inauguration of the first phase of Tbilisi Intermodal Hub is a significant step in our long-term plan to develop the Middle Corridor into a viable East-West trade corridor through Central Asia, where the volume of goods is expected to triple by 2030, according to The World Bank. Under the wise guidance of our leadership in the UAE, AD Ports Group is dedicated to pioneering the strategic, low-impact trade corridors of a sustainable future. With our investments in Tbilisi and elsewhere along the Middle Corridor, we are strengthening global supply chains through investments that foster economic growth and job creation, by creating efficient trade pathways that cater to the emerging economies of Central Asia.' As Tbilisi Intermodal Hub expands in its second and third phases, it will process a wide range of cargo, including containerised vehicles and various forms of bulk and break-bulk commodities such as minerals, ores, and fertilisers. These commodities play a crucial role in the supply chains of Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, as well as serving as an East-West crossroads for goods between China and Europe. Tbilisi Intermodal Hub's soft launch commenced when it received its inaugural shipment of 30 containers, each carrying over 26t of cargo. These containers were delivered via rail link from an MSC ship docked at Georgia's Black Sea Port of Batumi. Tbilisi Intermodal Hub, an inland extension of Batumi and the Port of Poti, Georgia's key seaports, will play an important role as a logistics staging hub, accelerating trade flows across the Caucasus region and Central Asia. The facility has received both customs zone authorisation and Georgia's first railway infrastructure operation and safety certification from the state Rail Transport Agency. The inauguration of the Georgian intermodal logistics hub marks a significant milestone in the Group's strategy to transform the Middle Corridor into a viable and modern high-volume trade corridor connecting China and Europe through Central Asia. This corridor will be facilitated by the Group's ports and maritime assets in Türkiye and Pakistan. Stretching over 7,000km, the Middle Corridor is anticipated to handle up to 1.9m TEUs of container cargo annually by 2040. This surge in cargo volume is driven by manufacturers' growing preference for shorter seaborne routes to avoid longer transit times. Tbilisi Intermodal Hub will initially handle up to 96,000 TEUs annually. The facility enables flexible cargo flows from Central Asia and the Far East via multiple transport modes railcars, shipper-owned containers, and trucks – with cross-docking to ocean carriers for global distribution, and vice versa. By early 2026, the second phase of construction will more than double the annual handling capacity of Tbilisi Intermodal Hub to up to 200,000 TEUs. Connected to Georgia's national rail network, the hub offers direct access to the country's international highways, thus bypassing city congestion. The inauguration of this facility marks a significant milestone for AD Ports Group, aligning with its mission to enhance global trade routes and logistics capabilities. Tbilisi Intermodal Hub not only strengthens economic ties between the UAE and Georgia but also positions both nations as key players in the Middle Corridor.
Zawya
5 days ago
- Zawya
AD Ports to jointly explore e-methanol bunkering, export facility in UAE
AD Ports Group has signed a collaboration agreement to undertake a feasibility study for the development of an e-methanol bunkering and export facility at Khalifa Port and Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD Group). The agreement was signed with the UAE's Masdar, the Netherlands' Advario and France's CMA CGM Group. The project will provide critical infrastructure to complete the supply value chain and bridge commercial e-methanol production with key off-takers, such as CMA CGM, the Abu Dhabi-listed AD Ports said in a statement. Saif Al Mazrouei, Chief Executive Officer- Ports Cluster, AD Ports Group, said the development of an e-methanol bunkering and export facility in Khalifa Port will support the growth of the shipping industry and contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions by promoting clean energy sources. Green hydrogen and its derivatives, such as e-methanol, are pivotal in decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors like shipping, said Dr Faye Al Hersh, Head of Green Hydrogen Business Development (UAE), Masdar. 'With over 80 percent of global trade transported by sea, fostering strategic partnerships is essential to establishing robust green hydrogen value chains and ensuring a more sustainable maritime industry,' Al Hersh said. Christine Cabau Woehrel, Executive Vice President for Assets and Operations, CMA CGM Group, said the company is accelerating the decarbonation of shipping by investing in low-carbon solutions, with a fleet of more than 153 vessels capable of using low-carbon energies and synthetic fuels such as e-methanol operational by 2029. The collaboration agreement follows a memorandum of understanding signed in 2023 between AD Ports Group and Masdar to explore the development of a green hydrogen hub within KEZAD. The new agreement aligns with the Abu Dhabi Low Carbon Hydrogen Policy and the UAE's National Hydrogen Strategy, which targets the scaling up of local hydrogen production to 1.4 million tonnes per annum by 2031 and 15 million tons per annum by 2050. (Writing by P Deol; Editing by Anoop Menon)
ME Construction
5 days ago
- ME Construction
MAG Group Holding launches Riviera Heights in Marsa Zayed
Property MAG Group Holding launches Riviera Heights in Marsa Zayed By The development will serve as a southern gateway to Jordan's most renowned attractions, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Petra and the Wadi Rum Protected Area MAG Group Holding has unveiled Riviera Heights, its first luxury residential development in Marsa Zayed, Jordan's largest mixed-use beachfront community. The project marks the beginning of a larger plan to transform a 320ha section of Jordan's Red Sea coast into an international tourism and residential destination. In February, the landowner AD Ports Group appointed Dubai-based MAG Group Holding to develop Marsa Zayed. The development will serve as a southern gateway to Jordan's most renowned attractions, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Petra and the Wadi Rum Protected Area. Riviera Heights, a vibrant and contemporary waterfront community, serves as the foundation for Marsa Zayed's vision. It blends homes, cultural offerings, and a lively social scene, making it a significant milestone for Aqaba. Riviera Heights will be built on the southern edge of the Marsa Zayed development area. It will comprise four 35-storey buildings with over 1,250 seafront apartments. Site work is currently underway and the construction of Riviera Heights is expected to be completed by Q1 2028. MAG Group Holding is committed to delivering quality, design, and lifestyle focused experiences to its investors, the statement noted. Moafaq A. Al Gaddah, Founder and Chairman of MAG Group Holding said, 'Riviera Heights captures the true essence of Jordan its warmth, heritage, and culture. We are breathing new life and economic vitality into Aqaba by creating vibrant spaces that foster genuine connection to its extraordinary Red Sea coastline. Together with AD Ports Group, our vision is to cultivate a destination with wide appeal to a wide range of discriminating travellers, where everyone feels a true sense of belonging.' Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group added, 'We welcome the launch of Riviera Heights, which marks the official beginning of construction in Marsa Zayed, the Red Sea's newest and most exciting tourism and residential development. Under the wise guidance of our leadership in the UAE, AD Ports Group and MAG Group Holding are making a strategic investment in Jordan's economy that will bring long-term jobs and economic growth to a region defined by its unique natural coastal beauty.' Marsa Zayed, Jordan's flagship tourism venture stands as one of the Middle East's most ambitious real estate development projects. Located next to the Phase 1 development of Marsa Zayed, Riviera Heights will extend 1.2km along the Red Sea beachfront. This development will feature a marina, a hotel, hotel apartments with a beach club, an Old Souq marketplace with 50 retail shops, a yacht club, and a visitor's centre. Marsa Zayed will also showcase the restored minaret of the Al-Sharif Al-Hussein Bin Ali Mosque, an architectural feature in Aqaba, aims to attract regional and international homeowners and investors.
