Skyports and Ras Al Khaimah to take tourism to the next level with electric air mobility – sUAS News – The Business of Drones

Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and Skyports to introduce sustainable air transport by 2027
The Nature Emirate will be one of the first vertiport networks to be launched globally thanks to the UAE’s world-class electric air mobility infrastructure
Network connecting major tourist attractions including Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra and Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest mountain

Ras Al Khaimah Transport Authority (RAKTA) and Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) have taken a significant step towards transforming tourism and transport in the emirate by signing a forward-looking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports), the company leading the development of the Vertiport infrastructure for electric air taxi services. This crucial MoU marks the beginning of an exciting partnership that will pioneer sustainable tourism through electric air mobility. This crucial MoU will see Skyports develop a network of vertiports to connect key attractions in Ras Al Khaimah, making the emirate a destination of the future and aligning with RAKTA’s Strategic Plan 2030.

Under the agreement, RAKTA, RAKTDA and Skyports will jointly design, develop and operate Ras Al Khaimah’s first electric vertical take-off and landing air taxi ecosystem, with commercial operations set to commence in 2027.

This innovative project will seamlessly integrate Skyports’ vertiport infrastructure with RAKTA’s existing transport network, providing fast and convenient zero-emission transport to Ras Al Khaimah’s most popular areas and attractions, including Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra and Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE. Tourists and residents visiting these iconic locations will experience significant time savings through the service. For example, the journey from Al Marjan Island to Jebel Jais takes about 70 minutes by car. The launch of air taxi services will reduce travel time to less than 20 minutes.

The Vertiport network will transform transport in Ras Al Khaimah and support the target of responsibly transporting 3.5 million visitors annually by 2030. By offering zero-emission transportation options, the emirate is strengthening its commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development. These ambitions align with Skyports’ design approach, which prioritizes integration with existing public transport networks to promote more sustainable transport. Furthermore, this initiative directly addresses the urgent need for innovative solutions to reduce CO2 emissions in ground transport, a sector responsible for 40% of greenhouse gas emissions in the travel and tourism sector, as highlighted by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). ). Furthermore, it will unlock future opportunities to integrate with air taxi networks in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Duncan Walker, CEO and Founder of Skyports, said: “We are keen to join forces with the leading transport and tourism organizations in Ras Al Khaimah to launch electric air taxi services in the emirate. This partnership further underlines our commitment to providing the essential supporting infrastructure for zero-emission aviation in the UAE. We look forward to contributing our expertise to realize Ras Al Khaimah’s ambitious transport and tourism goals.”

HE Ing. Esmaeel Hasan Al Blooshi, Director General of RAKTA added: “This partnership marks a pivotal moment in our efforts to revolutionize transportation in Ras Al Khaimah. By introducing electric air mobility, we are not only connecting tourists to our attractions, but also forging a sustainable path forward for our emirate. This innovative project fits perfectly with our commitment to improve accessibility while minimizing our impact on the environment, in line with our 2030 strategic plan. Together we are shaping a brighter, greener future for Ras Al Khaimah.”

HE Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying: “The support we have received from the UAE government and Ras Al Khaimah authorities has been phenomenal, allowing us to innovate on an unprecedented scale and at an unprecedented pace. Over the next two years, we aim to build the infrastructure and facilities for an electric-powered transport system that will redefine the way tourists experience Ras Al Khaimah. This collaboration also fits perfectly with our commitment to sustainable tourism. By introducing electric air mobility, we will not only improve the accessibility of Ras Al Khaimah’s attractions, but also significantly reduce our carbon footprint. This initiative brings us closer to our goal of making Ras Al Khaimah a regional leader in sustainable tourism by 2025.”

Today’s announcement further strengthens the UAE’s position as a leading market for the fast-growing advanced air mobility industry. Elsewhere, Skyports leads the research, development and construction of vertiports, working with the world’s leading eVTOL companies to provide critical infrastructure for the launch of commercial passenger and cargo flights. In April this year, Skyports raised $110 million and attracted new investor ACS Group to support the commercial launch.

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