Dubai Municipality inks MoU with DIEZ for Dubai Horizons System

Image credit: WAM

Dubai Municipality has signed an MoU with the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones (DIEZ) Authority as part of the Dubai Horizons System, which organises routes in low-altitude airspace and drone landing locations.

The agreement supports the aspirations of the emirate in the field of air mobility while spearheading the objectives and strategies of the futuristic city to plan routes for drones, airport locations, and low-altitude airspace landing locations.

“The agreements and strategic partnerships related to the Dubai Horizons System are in line with the aspirations of Dubai in the field of infrastructure for the aviation sector and the locations of airports and runways designated for drones,” Eng. Mariam Al Muhairi, acting CEO of the Buildings Regulation and Permits Agency at Dubai Municipality.

“The MoU further supports the strategic cooperation and exchange of experiences and knowledge in the various fields of work of Dubai Municipality and ‘DIEZ’, and benefits from the joint services provided that enhance the Municipality’s efforts in adopting and supporting leading solutions in geographic information systems.”

The agreement between Dubai Municipality and DIEZ further states sharing databases, geographical digital information, and 3D charts, which indicates the planning standards for low-altitude airspace in Dubai Silicon Oasis.

Both parties agreed to exchange data and digital information related to route planning for drones and the locations of landing in low-altitude airspace. Furthermore, under this MoU, the parties will provide the infrastructure of servers and geographic databases which are required to store the data and 3D charts and publish them on the appropriate systems.

Consulting services in the field of Geographic Information Systems will also be offered to accomplish the interests of the respective parties.

The deal further stipulates that DIEZ is also committed to supporting the Middle East tourism and business hub in this project, including assistance with the mechanisms for implementing the pilot phase related to planning drone routes and low-altitude airspace landing locations.

It further entails organizing specialized workshops in the region relating to the planning standards, and the provision of engineering and planning legislation that has been approved by the Civil Aviation Authority, in addition to coordinating with the municipality in low-altitude airspace planning, by ensuring compatibility and harmony with its future urban plans.

Dubai’s low-altitude airspace capabilities

Meanwhile, the Dubai Airshow 2023 is set to spotlight the famed flying taxi market as the city paves the way for the growth of disruptive methods of aerial transportation that are fast becoming the future of aviation.

The rapid growth in the advanced air mobility market (AAM) has seen an influx of new inventive air freight and passenger transport solutions, along with new regulations, resources and infrastructure. The market is expected to be valued at $16.81bn by 2025 to hit the $110.02bn mark in 2035.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai approved models of aerial taxi vertiports that are being developed in the city in February as the futuristic city is planning for the takeoff of flying taxis by 2026.

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and the Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) at Dubai South also agreed to establish the world’s first AAM integrator world centre in Dubai, as the world’s first vertiport certification process is currently underway as part of the project.