VPorts recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ras Al-Khaimah (RAK) Airport to build and operate a first vertiport in RAK. The RAK vertiport will be built on 10,000-square- metre site, designed for all types of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and opened for all eVTOL manufacturers.
VPorts’ initial growth strategy is based on the regional transportation of goods, tourism and the efficient movement of patients, organs for transplants and medical equipment.
‘‘With the support of the Department of Civil Aviation of Ras Al-Khaimah, we are excited to build and operate the first vertiport at Ras Al Khaimah Airport. This project will enable all AAM partners to accelerate the adoption and deployment of advanced air mobility in RAK and throughout the UAE,” said Fethi Chebil, President and Founder of VPorts.
“This project is aligned with RAK’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Strategy 2040 to achieve at least a 30% savings in electricity consumption and a 20% contribution from renewable energy by 2040,” said Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman, Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al-Khaimah. “We are committed to supporting the VPorts project and to enable AAM-related innovation and technology and know-how capacity building in the UAE and in RAK.”
Ralf Schustereder, CEO, Ras Al-Khaimah Airport said: “Ras Al Khaimah Airport is pleased to sign this agreement with VPorts to set up a vertiport in our airport. RAK Airport is aiming to be a leading enabler of RAK’s economic and tourism growth. This project will position RAK Airport as part of a development plan and key player in advanced air mobility in RAK. We will provide VPorts with our full support to ensure its success and prosperity.”
By 2030, VPorts plans to extend its vertiport network to all major industrial areas across the UAE, providing a sustainable transportation solution via eVTOL aircraft. The network will focus on locations that optimize multimodal transportation connectivity, including Ras Al-Khaimah, Dubai South, Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
In December 2022, VPorts announced the signing a 25-year exclusive lease agreement with the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH), renewable for a further 25 years, to establish a state-of-the-art integrator centre on a 37,000-square-metre site within Dubai South. Development and construction of the centre will start in 2023; it is expected to begin operations and conduct its first flight test in 2024.