BCLP advises Skyports on global first passenger air taxi service launch

BCLP has advised leading British vertiport operator Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports) in relation to a significant deal with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) for the launch of a global first passenger air taxi service. The deal concluded on 11 February 2024.

The agreement, endorsed by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai, the Prime Minister and the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, will see Dubai become the first location with a commercial, city-wide electric air taxi service and will transform the way people travel.

It is the first time globally that a transport authority, vertiport operator, aircraft manufacturer and relevant regulatory bodies have partnered to enable Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).

As a part of the deal, BCLP also advised on the operational arrangements with the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) supplier, the design and construction of the ground infrastructure, and on the vertiports for the Advance Air Mobility (AAM) initiative in Dubai. The vertiport network will connect key locations across Dubai with fast, efficient, low emissions air taxi services. The network will integrate with existing transportation hubs, including RTA Dubai’s metro lines and Dubai International Airport (DXB).

The BCLP team advising Skyports was led by UAE Office Managing Partner Richard Davies and Regional Practice Group Leader for Energy, Environment and Infrastructure Mark Richards, working with Technology & Commercial Transactions Partner Richard Shaw in London and Real Estate Partner David Nunn in Abu Dhabi. The team included Technology & Commercial Associate Director Benjamin Wheeler, Energy, Environment and Infrastructure, Associate Hansy Shore and Trainee Sarah Bakare in London and Non-Contentious Construction Associate Nagwa Abuzeid in Abu Dhabi.