The UAE government has begun mapping air corridors and developing regulations for piloted and autonomous air taxis and cargo drones, in a project set to complete within 20 months.
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has partnered with the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC) entities—Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and ASPIRE—to implement the initiative, which aims to connect international airports and locations across the Emirates.
The announcement was made during World Governments Summit 2025 in Dubai.
UAE to map urban air routes for autonomous flying vehicles
“Air corridor mapping for piloted and autonomous air taxis and drones is a crucial milestone that will enable the seamless implementation of Advanced Air Mobility into the UAE’s infrastructure. This initiative ensures the safe and efficient adoption of air mobility, delivering transformative solutions to urban transport and paving the way for a smarter, more connected future,” Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA said.
UAE is leading the way in air mobility with new air corridors for air taxis & cargo drones, in partnership with GCAA, TII, and ASPIRE. The future of transport is here! #TII #ASPIRE #UAEInnovation #SmartMobility #AirTaxis #GCAA #FutureOfTransport pic.twitter.com/SDa3skMvhB
— Technology Innovation Institute (@TIIuae) February 13, 2025
TII will provide expertise in airspace management to integrate the vehicles into urban environments.
“This transformative collaboration with GCAA is reshaping the future of urban transportation. By advancing airspace management and integrating piloted and autonomous air taxis and cargo drones, we are not only enhancing urban connectivity but also driving sustainable and accessible mobility solutions that will benefit future generations,” Dr Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII added.
“Addressing real-time urban mobility challenges through innovative solutions like air taxis and drones is a major step forward. This initiative directly supports sustainable economic growth by creating a flexible and diverse transport system that eases pressure on urban infrastructure and fosters smarter, more resilient cities,” Stephane Timpano from ASPIRE explained.
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