Rooftop Runways: Evaluating the UAE’s Regulatory Framework for Vertiports in Urban Air Mobility
Pistas en azoteas: evaluación del marco regulatorio de los EAU para los vertipuertos en la movilidad aérea urbana
Resumen (es)
La aparición de aeronaves eléctricas de despegue y aterrizaje vertical (eVTOL) está impulsando innovaciones significativas en los marcos regulatorios y en el desarrollo de infraestructura para la movilidad aérea urbana a nivel mundial. Los Emiratos Árabes Unidos (EAU) han asumido un rol pionero mediante la implementación de las primeras regulaciones nacionales específicas, destacando el reglamento CAR-HVD. Este estudio analiza comparativamente dicho marco regulatorio con los enfoques establecidos por la Agencia Europea de Seguridad Aérea (EASA), la Administración Federal de Aviación de Estados Unidos (FAA) y la Organización de Aviación Civil Internacional (OACI). Asimismo, a partir de casos empíricos extraídos de implementaciones internacionales de vertipuertos, incluyendo estudios específicos de Dubái, Abu Dabi, Estados Unidos, Europa y Asia, se evalúan los efectos prácticos y la eficacia de estos enfoques normativos. Adicionalmente, mediante un análisis comparado costo-beneficio, se examinan las implicaciones económicas y operativas derivadas del despliegue de estas infraestructuras frente a métodos convencionales de transporte urbano. Finalmente, el estudio ofrece recomendaciones orientadas a fortalecer la armonización regulatoria y a promover el desarrollo sostenible, la colaboración internacional y la planificación estratégica de infraestructuras para la movilidad aérea urbana.
Resumen (en)
The emergence of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is driving innovation in regulatory frameworks and infrastructure development for urban air mobility globally. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken a pioneering role by introducing the first national regulations for vertiports, known as CAR-HVD. This paper critically evaluates the UAE’s vertiport regulatory framework, emphasizing certification procedures, design and operational safety requirements, airspace integration, and electrical infrastructure considerations. A comparative analysis is conducted against corresponding frameworks from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Empirical insights drawn from global vertiport implementations, including case studies from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, the United States, Europe, and Asia, highlight the practical impacts and effectiveness of these regulatory approaches. Additionally, a comparative cost-benefit analysis examines vertiports relative to traditional transportation modes, emphasizing their economic viability and potential revenue generation. The paper concludes by proposing policy recommendations aimed at enhancing regulatory coherence, fostering stakeholder collaboration, ensuring public acceptance, and promoting sustainability. These insights support regulators, aviation stakeholders, urban planners, and policymakers in navigating the complex regulatory landscape of advanced urban air mobility infrastructure.
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