Israel to build its first vertiport in Tel Aviv, enabling future electric air taxi services

Israel plans to build its first vertiport within three years at Tel Aviv’s Atidim Park, one of the country’s leading tech and commercial hubs. The ATIDIM Vertiport is intended to help alleviate the city’s chronic traffic congestion and lay the groundwork for future electric air taxi services, though it will initially be used for medical aerial deliveries.

Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority recently approved a medical aerial transport demonstration in cooperation with the autonomous drone delivery company, Dronery, with a test flight conducted between temporary landing pads at the Medica Raphael Hospital, located in the Atidim Park complex.

Experts believe that expanding electric aerial taxi transport for passengers could cut current travel times in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area by 60 to 80%.

“Quiet, electric aircraft with accessible operating costs represent a revolution,” said Eyal Zahavi, CEO of the Israeli drone and air mobility company ATI/ Air Taxi Israel.

“Commercial public service is expected within about three years, which makes now the right time to plan, build and regulate national and municipal infrastructure,” he explained.

Eyal Green, CEO of Atidim Park, hailed the plan to construct a vertiport as “a first milestone in integrating advanced aerial transportation into Israel’s urban space.”

“If successful, this project could establish Tel Aviv as a pioneer in urban air mobility, setting a benchmark for other cities in Israel and internationally,” the aerial project planners stated.

Last September, the Israeli aviation startup company Air VEV (AIR) announced plans to revolutionize the aviation industry with its Air One platform, a small electric aircraft designed for vertical takeoff and landing. With a comparatively moderate price of $200,000, the aircraft could become accessible to smaller companies and private individuals who would otherwise be unable to afford an aircraft.

“We participated in committees and discussions until the rule was approved in August,” AIR Cofounder and CEO Rani Plaut said in an interview with Ynet News. “That essentially means that by the end of 2026, we can deliver aircraft to private customers," he added.

Due to the comparatively small Israeli market, AIR aims to export its technology abroad, with the United States identified as a key target market.

The company's electric aircraft is designed to carry two people and a cargo of 550 lbs (250 kg). The aircraft’s top speed is currently 155 miles per hour (250 km per hour). Its one-hour limited flight range makes it ideal for shorter urban flights.