Aena has announced plans to conduct demonstration flights using electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) between 2025 and 2026.
The flights will take place on routes between airports in Palma de Mallorca and Menorca, and Málaga and Granada. These trials aim to validate operational procedures and establish the standards necessary for integrating eVTOL operations into Spain’s airspace and airport infrastructure.
Luis Cañón, Aena’s Director of Innovation and Customer Experience, outlined the initiative during a roundtable discussion titled Beyond the Airport at the Global Mobility Call in Madrid.
The event, organised by IFEMA MADRID in collaboration with Smobhub, brings together key stakeholders in mobility to discuss the future of transport.
Cañón explained:These demonstration flights are part of the EUREKA and OperA programmes under the SESAR framework. They are designed to lay the groundwork for integrating urban air mobility operations with existing airport systems and commercial flight operations.
At the event, Juan Manuel Cordovés, Chief of Staff at Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, also highlighted the growth potential of the urban air mobility sector.
According to estimates from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), the market is projected to be worth 4.2 billion EUR by 2030, capturing a 30% share of the global market.
Cordovés noted that urban air mobility is expected to become operational in Europe within the next 3 to 5 years, supported by European manufacturers and pilot projects already underway.
At Global Mobility Call, Óscar Lara, COO of Crisalion Mobility, emphasised the importance of industry-wide collaboration to realise the benefits of such developments.
Lara stated:Coordination among all stakeholders is critical. The speed of implementation will depend on how quickly the slowest moving parts of the ecosystem advance.
Aena’s demonstration flights are expected to provide valuable insights into the operational requirements for integrating eVTOLs into Spain’s transport network. Aena is working with multiple stakeholders, including technology providers and regulators, to address these challenges and prepare for the anticipated growth of the urban air mobility market.
