By Addison Ferrell, Director, Skyports Infrastructure
2025 has been our biggest year yet (something we have said every year since Skyports was founded). Ground broken on the world’s first commercial AAM network, 1 new heliport, 1 new skyport, and a raft of new projects started around the globe, to name just a few of our key highlights.
Here’s a rundown of our new facilities, top achievements and big moments from a milestone year, region by region.
The Middle East
The Middle East has positioned itself as the global front runner in the AAM revolution. Accordingly, it’s been a real hub and centre for our world-first projects.
Dubai:
2025 was a pivotal year for our Dubai Network, transitioning from planning and design to breaking ground on our first skyport in the network, DXV.
From a flat patch of ground at the start of the year, the super structure of the building is now complete, and we’re moving on to interior fit out. We’re all on track for the skyport to be operational in Q1 2026, with commercial services commencing before the year is out.
Beyond Dubai, we made and progressed significant partnerships with the other emirates in the UAE, helping to bring our long term ambition of creating an inter-emirate air taxi service to life.
Abu Dhabi:
In November, it was a privilege to share that we will be developing a skyport network in Abu Dhabi. Partnering with Abu Dhabi Airports, we’ll be building over ten skyports, with two already under construction, at Zayed International Airport and Al Bateen Airport, which are set to be complete in early 2026.
Ras al Khaimah:
Our existing project in Ras Al Khaimah has also made significant progress. Following an initial MoU in 2024 for the network, we have welcomed Joby as our OEM launch partner and signed a Framework Agreement with RAKTA, which really lays the foundation for construction to begin. Forming a network of 4 locations, we’re targeting commercial operations from 2027.
Ajman:
We also welcomed another emirate to Skyports – Ajman. Signing a foundational MoU, we’re now underway in initial consultancy work to explore how we can integrate AAM into the emirate’s existing transport infrastructure, linking it to the wider inter-emirate network that is quickly forming.
A key moment that really bought all our work in the UAE together was exhibiting at Dubai Airshow 2025. Taking a booth in the AAM pavilion, it was great to show the world the progress we’re making, and why our infrastructure is so critical to making AAM a success.
The Americas
New York City:
In April, Skyports planted a flag in NYC when we took over the concession along with our partners Groupe ADP to run Downtown Manhattan Heliport – which we’ve renamed Downtown Skyport.
It’s one of the world’s busiest commercial heliports, seeing in the region of 30,000 landings a year.
Since taking over, we’ve embarked on a complete overhaul of the facility, massively upgrading the interior and bringing technical operations into the 21st century.
We’re also well underway with transitioning the facility to become a core node in New York City’s future AAM network, integrating eVTOL charging facilities onto the ramp, which will be fitted and operational by the end of 2026.
South Florida:
Beyond New York, we’ve been making in-roads in creating a skyport network in South Florida, as made public in our announcement alongside Archer. Situated close to Miami Beach, our North Bay Village skyport will provide close access to the top sights and neighbourhoods in Miami. We also have another location in Miami that we look forward to sharing with you in the new year.
Europe
June 2025 saw our Bicester skyport outside London reach operational completion. Initially acting as an AAM testbest, it is a fully functioning skyport facility that in time will take commercial passengers, featuring a full passenger terminal and operations room, from where we’ll orchestrate the management of eVTOL traffic.
Already seeing multiple helicopter landings in 2025, we’ll be hosting demo flights of Vertical’s VX4 eVTOL in Q1 2026, as a part of the OxCam Regional Demonstrator, which will be exploring the potential for a future AAM flight corridor between the key economic hubs of Oxford and Cambridge.
We rounded off the year with the announcement of our planned UK skyport network, which we’ll operate in partnership with Vertical Aerospace and Bristow in 2029, once Vertical’s Valo eVTOL is certified. Using out Skyports London Heliport in Canary Wharf as the central node, it will reach out to Heathrow and Gatwick Airports, our Bicester skyport and a future location in Cambridge.
APAC:
South Korea:
In another major step forward, we signed an MoU with Jeju Island, South Korea, to create Korea’s first AAM network. Featuring three initial skyport locations across the island, we’ll be targeting commercial operations in 2028.
Japan:
We had some big news earlier this year in being appointed as the technical skyport partner for an AAM demo project taking place in Japan in February 2026. Partnering with SkyDrive, Kanematsu and Mitsubishi Estate, the project will see demo flights of SkyDrive’s eVTOL over Tokyo Bay, using our Vertiport Automation System to manage aircraft operations. Our tech team is hard at work preparing the system and carrying out testing.
Global operations, with a team that transcends borders
With teams spread across the globe and bringing a diverse array of expertise, a personal highlight was bringing our entire global team together in London for our annual Global Gathering.
Taking place in late June, the whole team came together to share experiences and collaborate, and reflect on some of the truly groundbreaking work we’re doing together.
Culminating in helicopter rides from our Bicester skyport (the first landings the facility had seen at that date), it was great to celebrate our hard work alongside our colleagues.
2026: the only way is up
For AAM, 2025 was the year that Skyports moved from planning & design to breaking ground and building. 2026 will see our AAM vision reaching reality, carrying the world’s first commercial passengers in Dubai and preparing for many more “firsts” in the years that follow.
We can’t wait – see you in the skies.
