Pilotless flying taxis Malaga to Marbella from 2028 – and cheaper than a road taxi

In the near future, those arriving on the Costa del Sol can bypass the jam-packed A-7 by using pilotless electric taxis connecting Malaga to Marbella. These air taxis will take about 15 minutes. Enaire, Spain’s Air Navigation Authority, will begin real world demonstrations of eVTOL in 2028, under a large European programme.

Local tests pave the way for urban air mobility worldwide

Enaire will develop procedures that allow for a smooth integration of the new aircraft into existing commercial flights as well as cargo drones. Malaga, Marbella and other coastal areas were chosen for the trials because of their dense urban layouts and high visitor numbers. They are ideal to test concepts in busy coastal environments. The tests will be focused on digital flight planning and automated vertiport management, as well as emergency routing options.

Honeywell Aerospace, as the leader of the Verti Go project, brings together 12 partners from across Europe. NATS and Eurocontrol are also involved, as is Czech provider ANS CR, Spanish airport operator Aena, and NATS. Running from June 2026 to May 2029, the project has a €6.77 million budget, with nearly €5 million coming from EU funds.

Costa Routes to Benefit Airport Arrivals

Crisalion Mobility pushes Spanish FlyFree forward with partnerships. One of these was a deal signed recently at Malaga Aeromuseo by iJet Aviation, a private aviation firm. The company has created a new way to travel in the region with its efficient, quiet eVTOL aircraft. A one-way ticket on the Malaga-Marbella route is expected to cost as little as €100, far less than traditional helicopter services and even cheaper than a road taxi from Malaga Airport to Marbella.

This aircraft is designed to carry five passengers. It reaches 180 km/h, and its range is 130 km. Door-to-door travel is now possible in just 10-12 minutes compared to 40 minutes in normal driving conditions. Such links can transform the daily commute and short trips of frequent flyers between Malaga Airport and Marbella, and other nearby towns.

Spain’s drone future accelerates with U-space advances

These demonstrations are directly related to Enaire’s U-space project, Europe’s digital framework that manages drones and advanced air mobility. The system allows for real-time monitoring and conflict avoidance. Enaire is advancing its certification as a Common Information Service Provider by AESA. It will also strengthen its role of a data hub to all airspace users.

If the Costa del Sol is successful, it could be a leader in urban air mobility for southern Europe. Electric vertical flight is seen as a practical alternative to current transport options by authorities due to increasing pressures on road infrastructure caused by tourism and population increase.