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VPorts First to Proceed with a Vertiport Certification Process
Kevin Rozario
June 7, 2023
Impression of VPorts' Dubai AAM Integrator Center.
© VPorts
Vertiport infrastructure company VPorts has initiated the certification process for its planned sites in the Middle East including the world’s first Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) integrator center at the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) in Dubai South in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“We are really excited about this development (which is) an important structural step for the AAM market,” Dr Fethi Chebil, CEO and Founder of VPorts told AirportIR. “We are the first to engage in the AAM infrastructure certification process. We are making history.”
VPorts, which is involved in the design, construction and operation of AAM facilities, is pushing ahead with the certification before the construction of its vertiports starts in 2024.
Chebil said: “With this milestone undertaking, Dubai has confirmed its leadership in the AAM sector.” VPorts will have to adhere to regulations laid down by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Its certification process aligns with regulation CAR IX-HVD Part III, which outlines the requirements and guidelines for the operation of onshore vertiports within the UAE.
Dr Fethi Chebil: "We are really excited about this development (which is) an important structural step for the AAM market.”
© VPorts
The process will start with the design approval phase. VPorts said it plans to obtain design approval for its AAM center within six months, a key step in the construction phase. The certification of the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) vertiport will follow shortly.
Chebil said: “We are taking a proactive approach to ensure all our vertiports meet and exceed industry standards, providing a secure and efficient environment for the operation of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.”
Dubai Looks for Aviation ‘Powerhouse’ Status
Tariq Bin Ghalaita, General Aviation Director at Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH), said: “This certification process signifies a substantial step in our pursuit to cement Dubai’s status as a global powerhouse of aviation and innovation.
“MBRAH is more than an aerospace hub. We are a launchpad, propelling the aerospace industry to greater heights both within the UAE and globally. With the AAM project, MBRAH is working towards a future where transportation is faster, safer, and more efficient than ever before.”
The hub is hoping that AAM will be transformative in unlocking new possibilities from urban air mobility to logistics and more. The director added: “This step is not just a milestone for AAM in the UAE, but a beacon charting the path for the sector globally.”
VPorts’ move is also designed to boost investors' confidence in what is an untried, future market—and where eVTOL manufacturers are under some funding pressures.
On the vertiport side, the need for private and public investors to deliver advanced infrastructure, development, and operations is crucial for the success of AAM. In a statement, VPorts said: “Multiple revenue streams and opportunities will be pursued and leveraged at all stages of development, from project conception to design, development, and long-term implementation.”
The certification process is a commitment to establishing a robust and sustainable AAM infrastructure network demonstrating the company’s readiness to enter the market and operate to the highest standards.
VPorts’ vertiports are designed as transportation hubs that will facilitate the seamless integration of eVTOLs into urban environments and existing transportation ecosystems. They incorporate advanced technologies, such as automated landing systems, smart charging infrastructure and robust safety procedures.