GETTING VERTIPORT PIONEER SKYPORTS OFF THE GROUND IN DUBAI

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London based start-up Skyports Infrastructure (Skyports) has announced its pioneering ‘vertiport’ operations in Dubai in collaboration with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) and electric air taxi provider, Joby Aviation.

While Skyports has high hopes for its vertiports, navigating the flight path to success poses complex questions. They needed an experienced partner to advise them on their journey. Thanks to our extensive EV, transportation and infrastructure sector expertise, BCLP was appointed in August 2023 to help Skyports rise above the challenges that lie ahead.

Client:

Ed Russell, Development Lead

Company:

Skyports Infrastructure

Location:

London

Description:

Skyports is the leading provider of vertiport infrastructure for the Advanced Air Mobility

Goal:

The delivery of the world's first vertiport network

Industry:

Advanced air mobility (AAM), Infrastructure, Energy, Transportation, E-Mobility

Pioneering the future of sustainable urban transportation

CHALLENGE:

SOLUTION:

BCLP brought together a highly experienced cross-office team, with deep experience in energy transition, electric vehicles and transportation infrastructure projects.

The group was coordinated by Richard Davies, Office Managing Partner of BCLP’s Middle East operations. Based in the region for over 15 years, he is well versed in the dynamics of negotiating with the Dubai government.

In London, Mark Richards, EMEA Head of the Energy, Environment & Infrastructure practice provided his unrivalled concession and electric vehicles sector expertise. Richard Shaw, Co-Team Leader for Technology & Commercial Transactions, added his extensive experience in aviation infrastructure operations. David Nunn, based in the firm’s Abu Dhabi office and highly experienced in the UAE real estate market, provided specialist advice on the property aspects of the transaction. The team was supported by Technology & Commercial Associate Director Benjamin Wheeler, Energy, Environment and Infrastructure, Associate Hansy Shore and Trainee Sarah Bakare in London and Non-Contentious Construction Associate Nagwa Abuzeid in Abu Dhabi.

The team worked closely with Skyports across the project, focusing on the following primary workstreams:

Negotiations with the RTA to conclude a Definitive Agreement appointing Skyports as their exclusive vertiport partner and governing the ongoing operation of the project
Developing the procedure for selection and leasing of vertiport sites, including a hub at Dubai International Airport
Documenting the key...

Result:

Having helped Skyports reach their landmark agreement with the RTA, we are now moving on to the next phase of the project. In the longer-term, the relationship gives us the scope to roll out our client’s pioneering vision for the future of sustainable urban transportation in other cities around the world.

Richard Davies commented: “Skyports is an innovative business that needed the right blend of sector expertise to help them realise their lofty ambitions. We’re delighted to be working together on what promises to be an exciting journey. The sky’s the limit.”

BCLP has been instrumental in helping us get this remarkable project off the ground. Now that we’ve signed the Definitive Agreement, we can turn our attention to the exciting process of designing and building our vertiports.

Ed Russell,
Development Lead of Skyports
Skyports is an innovative business and we’re delighted to be working together on what promises to be an exciting journey. The sky’s the limit.

Richard Davies
Country Managing Partner UAE, BCLP

Key takeaways

Flexibility to grow

The definitive and operating agreements with RTA and JOBY provided a binding framework for development of the air taxi project and the parties’ relationship whilst also securing flexibility to evolve and expand the project.

Going green

BCLP’s extensive experience in EV and renewable technology and the infrastructure space was significant in delivering the project, which aims to cut down car use in Dubai and provide an electric alternative travel option for passengers.

Cross-border collaboration

A global multi-jurisdictional and multi-disciplinary team covering Real Estate, Commercial, Energy and Infrastructure sectors worked effectively together to deliver the project documentation. We are specialists of complex first-of-a-kind deals in highly regulated environments.