Spain has held its first test flights of air taxis and autonomous cargo drones on the route between Málaga and Granada. Four demonstration flights took place as part of the large-scale European project OperA, which aims to integrate electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) into the country’s airspace. The trials were designed to assess the safety and compatibility of these new aerial platforms with conventional aviation.
The OperA project is supported by leading aerospace companies and is funded by the European Union. The total budget exceeds 9.5 million euros, with a significant portion coming from European funds. The consortium includes organizations such as Honeywell, Enaire, Aena, Crida, Eurocontrol, as well as aircraft manufacturers Pipistrel and Vertical Aerospace.
Tomorrow’s Tech Today: eVTOL and Autonomous Drones Take to Spanish Skies
During the demonstration flights, a helicopter was used to simulate the operations of air taxis and cargo drones in various types of airspace. The tests covered both controlled and uncontrolled airspace, as well as the special U-Space environment designed for advanced forms of air mobility. The main goal was to ensure that the new aircraft can operate safely alongside traditional airplanes and helicopters.
OperA is developing and testing routes as well as flight management systems for eVTOLs and autonomous drones. This will pave the way for introducing innovative passenger and cargo transport solutions over short and medium distances in the future—a crucial advancement for densely populated areas and major cities.
European collaboration and investment in urban aviation development
The OperA project has become a key focus of the Horizon Europe program, which brings together the efforts of private and public entities to develop new transport technologies. The project is led by Honeywell, with participation from both Spanish and international partners. Nearly six million euros of the total budget have been provided by the European Union, highlighting the strategic importance of this initiative for the region.
The tests between Málaga and Granada are just the first step toward building a full-fledged infrastructure for air taxis and cargo drones in Spain. In the coming years, there are plans to expand test routes and roll out new services that could revolutionize the face of urban transportation.
