UAE Unveils Regulatory Framework for Flying Taxis and Delivery Drones

The UAE is taking a major step toward the future of transportation with the development of one of the world’s first regulatory frameworks for autonomous flying taxis and delivery drones. As part of a government-led initiative, Abu Dhabi is positioning the nation as a global testing ground for advanced air mobility systems. 

The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and ASPIRE subsidiaries of the Advanced Technology Research Council are collaborating with the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) to simulate and test airspace management models for unmanned and piloted aerial vehicles. Oversight comes from the Smart and Autonomous Council, which manages national strategies for autonomous systems.

Trials are underway at three key sites in Abu Dhabi: Yas Island, Zayed Port, and Abu Dhabi International Airport. These locations were selected to study wind behavior, safety zones, and flight pathways for low-altitude aircraft. Insights from the trials will guide the design of regulated air corridors and separation standards tailored for urban environments.

Eng. Aqeel Al Zarooni, Assistant Director General for Aviation Safety Affairs at the GCAA, emphasized the need for responsive regulation. “As aviation continues to evolve, our regulatory frameworks must evolve with it. Through this collaboration with TII and ASPIRE, we are laying the groundwork for safe and scalable integration of next-generation air mobility.”

A layered airspace design is currently being tested. Under this model, drones conducting low-level deliveries will operate below 500 feet, air taxis between 1,000 and 3,000 feet, and conventional aircraft will remain above that altitude. This structured approach aims to ensure clarity, safety, and efficiency across all aviation tiers.

Dr. Najwa Aaraj, CEO of TII, noted that technology alone cannot unlock urban air mobility. “It must be matched with forward-looking regulations that anticipate the complexities of autonomous flight,” she said, highlighting the importance of intelligent, adaptable airspace systems.

The two-year initiative also explores integration between traditional Air Traffic Management (ATM) and emerging Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems. Simulation tools developed with the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) are supporting this effort.

Andrew Strefford, Executive Director at ASPIRE, emphasized that trust and safety are crucial to public adoption. “Urban air mobility is not just about new technology; it’s also about trust and safety, and so policy and regulation are critical for adoption,” he explained.

Ultimately, the program supports the GCAA’s long-term vision of enabling piloted air taxis, with regulations designed to eventually accommodate fully autonomous passenger and cargo flights. Dr. Enrico Natalizio, Chief Researcher at TII’s Autonomous Robotics Research Center, underscored the value of rigorous simulation. “Simulating real-world conditions allows us to test airspace rules and urban air mobility scenarios at scale,” he said.

With this initiative, Abu Dhabi is building the regulatory and technological foundations needed to lead the future of urban air mobility where intelligent aircraft may soon become part of everyday city life.