A UAE-based company will soon make inter-emirate private helicopter services more accessible. Air Chateau International will enable passengers to travel from Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah in less than 30 minutes.
New Heliports Across the UAE
Dr. Samir Mohammed, Founder, Chairman, and MD of Air Chateau International, announced, “We will build at least six new heliports in various emirates across the UAE.” Passengers can fly from Al Maktoum airport to Ras Al Khaimah in about 24 to 27 minutes, depending on wind conditions.
The company has shortlisted 20 locations, with 6-8 sites to be finalized by the end of the year. “Some are existing helipads needing upgrades, while others will be built from scratch,” Dr. Mohammed added.
Connecting All Emirates
“We aim to connect all emirates, including Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Abu Dhabi. We also plan to link popular destinations like Hatta, encouraging more travel to this hotspot,” Dr. Mohammed explained.
Although the company currently operates inter-emirate flights, access is limited to remote areas with existing heliports. Over the next 2-3 years, Air Chateau plans to expand to 30 locations, making services more accessible to residents and tourists.
High Demand for Hatta
There’s significant interest in Hatta. “We’re collaborating with hospitality companies to enhance their clients’ experiences,” Dr. Mohammed said. “We aim to curate the best experiences for tourists in Hatta.”
Hybrid Heliports
One of the highlights is that the new heliports will be multifunctional. Shilton Tony Irudayaraj, Co-Founder and CEO of Air Chateau, said, “These heliports will be hybrid. They can also serve as vertiports for eVTOL aircraft, fostering robust growth in the air ecosystem.”
Last year, Air Chateau signed an agreement with Archer Aviation to purchase up to 100 Midnight eVTOL aircraft for nearly $500 million, aiming to launch electric air taxi services in the UAE.
Ultra-Premium Last-Mile Connectivity
“Our goal is to provide ultra-premium last-mile connectivity,” said Shilton. “We saw over 17,000 private jet movements at our facility last year. We aim to connect these passengers to various points within Dubai and across the UAE.”
Serving Densely Populated Areas
“We are targeting high-density locations to serve as many people as possible,” Shilton explained. “We need to consider operational safety and cleanliness.”
Air Chateau also plans to create bespoke packages with hospitality partners to serve tourists. Currently, they offer luxury helicopter services with 22-minute and 30-minute aerial tour packages of Dubai.
Competitive Pricing
While the exact pricing has not been disclosed, spokespersons said it would be competitive with other market players. Currently, a private charter helicopter from Dubai to Nurai Island in Abu Dhabi costs Dh7,000 for 5 passengers.
Largest Helipark in the UAE
Air Chateau’s Dubai Helipark, adjacent to Al Maktoum airport in Dubai World Central, is the largest in the country, accommodating eight helicopters.
Conclusion
Air Chateau International is set to revolutionize inter-emirate travel with its new private helicopter service, making quick and luxurious travel across the UAE more accessible.