AENA, the primary airport management company in Spain, has launched an innovative initiative aimed at revolutionising air mobility between the Balearic Islands. The company plans to conduct two test flights using electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) developed by Volocopter.
One of these scheduled groundbreaking test flights will connect the airports of Mallorca and Menorca.
The project aims to pave the way for air taxi services in the Balearic Islands, with a target for operations to begin by late 2025 or early 2026, and then to possibly expand it to other areas including the Canary Islands.
Speaking at the Global Mobility Call conference in Madrid, Luis Cañón, AENA’s Director of Innovation and Customer Experience, highlighted the strategic importance of these trials.
According to Cañón, these flights aim to validate procedures and establish the standards required to facilitate such operations across Spain. This initiative represents a significant step toward integrating cutting-edge technology into the country’s transportation ecosystem.
Expanding Testing to Mainland Spain
In addition to the inter-island flight, a second test flight is planned to connect the airports of Málaga and Granada. This dual approach will help assess the feasibility of eVTOL operations in both insular and mainland contexts, ensuring a robust framework for future implementation.
If successful, these trials could mark the beginning of a new era in sustainable and efficient air travel, positioning Spain at the forefront of next-generation mobility solutions.
