The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has begun an air corridor mapping and regulatory framework development exercise for piloted and uncrewed air taxis and cargo drones. The initiative is part of a strategic partnership between the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Advanced Technology Research Council entities, Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and ASPIRE.
With aerial corridors and regulations set to be defined within the next 20 months, the effort demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to deploying safe, advanced, sustainable transportation systems. These routes will connect key international airports and iconic places in the UAE, providing new options for passenger and cargo transport, relieving pressure on traditional transport networks and improving connectivity.
His Excellency Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of the GCAA said: “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.”
TII will lead in developing the technical aspects of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and ASPIRE is focusing on creating a network of stakeholders, including regulators, industry leaders, and researchers. Together, the collaboration aims to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework that ensures safety and operational efficiency and develop airspace management systems.
Prof. Enrico Natalizio, Chief Researcher of the Autonomous Robotics Research Center at TII, commented: “At TII, we’re developing advanced AI-powered control, vision and communication algorithms for autonomous systems that enable real-time decision-making for air taxis and drones. Having mastered this technology, we are able to propose methodologies for AAM corridors design to optimise routes, ensure collision avoidance, and integrate seamlessly with urban airspace, marking a key step toward efficient and safe autonomous air mobility in complex urban environments.”
Together with GCAA, these entities will define the airspace regulations and develop airspace management systems, making the UAE a global benchmark for advanced urban mobility.
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