Malaga makes history: As the first airport in Spain, the Aeropuerto de Málaga-Costa del Sol is introducing electric drone air taxi services. This groundbreaking initiative will revolutionize travel between Malaga, Granada, and surrounding regions like Marbella, catapulting the Costa del Sol to the forefront of urban air mobility.
The future of travel begins in Malaga. A state-of-the-art electric drone taxi will soon transport passengers – initially piloted, with the ambitious goal of autonomous operation in the next phase. This positions Malaga as a shining example and pioneer in the Spanish air mobility system, developed in close cooperation with leading experts as part of a pan-European project for the integration of urban and regional air traffic.
Test Flights and Safety: A Look Behind the Scenes
The comprehensive tests for this forward-looking project are taking place at Enaire’s renowned Research and Development Center in Madrid. Air traffic controllers from Malaga and engineers from Aena are working hand-in-hand to ensure the safety and efficiency of the system. A specially designed flight corridor and a “vertiport” – a take-off and landing pad for this type of aircraft – near runway 13 of Malaga Airport, in the immediate vicinity of the A-7, are already being planned.
The first test route connects Malaga and Granada airports and is expected to take 35 to 40 minutes. The drone taxis will fly at an altitude of 500 to 2,000 feet to avoid interfering with regular air traffic. The route initially follows the coast for eight kilometers before turning inland near Loja to elegantly circumnavigate the imposing mountain regions.
More Than Just Passengers: Drones for Parcel Delivery
But the vision goes beyond passenger transport. Another project involves the introduction of drones for parcel delivery. Synchronized airspace management will enable real-time coordination with ambulance aircraft and police helicopters to ensure smooth and safe operation. A test flight in January 2026 is planned to demonstrate the technical maturity of this innovative system.
Malaga: The Epicenter of High-Tech Aviation
Malaga’s thriving high-tech ecosystem, significantly supported by players such as Enaire, Aena, and local companies like Crisalion and iJet, makes the city the ideal location for these first groundbreaking test flights. A spectacular Marbella route is already planned for 2030, which will reduce travel time to just 15-20 minutes and offer a futuristic, efficient travel solution for the entire Costa del Sol.
