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

Those arriving to the Costa del Sol could soon bypass the packed A-7 motorway with pilotless electric air taxis linking Malaga and Marbella in roughly 15 minutes. Enaire, Spain’s air navigation authority, will begin real-world demonstrations of eVTOL craft in 2028 under a major European programme.

Local tests set the stage for world urban air mobility

Enaire will create procedures allowing smooth integration of these new aircraft with existing commercial flights and cargo drones. The choice of Malaga and Marbella for these trials is all about the area’s dense urban layout and high visitor numbers, ideal for proving concepts in busy coastal environments. Tests will focus on digital flight planning, automated vertiport handling and emergency routing options.

The Verti-Go project brings together 12 partners across Europe, led by Honeywell Aerospace. Other participants include NATS, Eurocontrol, Czech provider ANS CR and Spanish airport operator Aena. Running from June 2026 to May 2029, the project has a €6.77 million budget, with nearly €5 million coming from EU funds.

Airport arrivals stand to benefit on key Costa routes

Crisalion Mobility is pushing Spanish FlyFree technology forward through partnerships, including a recent deal with private aviation firm iJet Aviation signed at Malaga’s Aeromuseo. The company makes its quiet, efficient eVTOL aircraft a game-changer for regional travel. 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.

Designed to carry up to five passengers, the aircraft reaches 180 km/h and has a 130 km range. This makes door-to-door journeys possible in 10-12 minutes, compared with 40 minutes by car in normal conditions. For frequent flyers who move between Malaga Airport, Marbella and surrounding towns, such links could transform daily commutes and short breaks.

U-space progress accelerates Spain’s drone future

These demonstrations feed directly into Enaire’s work on U-space, Europe’s digital framework for managing drone and advanced air mobility traffic. The system will enable real-time tracking and conflict avoidance. Enaire is also advancing certification as a Common Information Service Provider with AESA, strengthening its role as a data hub for all airspace users.

Successful outcomes here could position the Costa del Sol as an early adopter of urban air mobility in southern Europe. With growing pressure on road infrastructure from tourism and population growth, authorities see electric vertical flight as a practical addition to existing transport options rather than a replacement.