Aena and Enaire take new steps towards advanced air mobility, with effects on corporate travel
The future revolution in air mobility is beginning to take shape in Spain. Aena and Enaire have carried out experimental flights between the airports of Málaga-Costa del Sol and Federico García Lorca Granada-Jaén to validate the first national corridor for air cab operations and transport with drones.
The tests, part of a European project to integrate this new generation of aircraft into conventional airspace, open up a scenario that could transform mobility in corporate travel and professional events.
The tests have been carried out with piloted aircraft that replicate the behavior of future electric air taxis, studying navigation procedures, communications, route management and interaction with commercial air traffic. The objective is to prove that these operations can coexist in complete safety withtraditional flights, a key aspect for thinking about real applications in short-haul intercity travel.
For the business travel ecosystem, this type of corridor opens the door to quick connections between secondary airports, congress centers or business hubs located outside major urban centers.
The Málaga–Granada route, used as a test bed, allows to evaluate the feasibility of routes designed to reduce travel times and offer more flexible alternatives for corporate agendas, especially in destinations with high professional or tourist activity.
Tests also include logistics operations with cargo drones, designed for the urgent transport of sensitive goods and supplies. This component is particularly relevant for sectors such as the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare services, automotive or any value chain that requires fast, high-precision deliveries.
The project incorporates a digital system that coordinates airports, air navigation providers and drone operators in real time. This technological layer will be essential for future commercial exploitation of air cabs, enabling the integration of on-demand services, intelligent reservations and automated operations, a combination that could streamline mobility during trade fairs, congresses and corporate events.
With these advances, Spain is positioned as one of the most active countries in the validation of advanced air mobility in Europe. Although commercial deployment will depend on regulatory developments and the development of certified eVTOL aircraft, experts suggest that the first pre-commercial services could arrive before the end of the day.