Benidorm’s Air Taxi Test Marks a Milestone in Urban Mobility

Benidorm has made aviation history by hosting Europe’s first air taxi flight in a real urban environment. The EH216-S, an autonomous air taxi developed by EHang, took to the skies over Poniente and Levante beaches alongside multiple drones performing various tasks, including cargo transport and surveillance. The demonstration, conducted under the European U-ELCOME project, showcased the future of urban air mobility and its potential role in public and private transport sectors, including the taxi industry. Similar advancements in eVTOL technology have been observed globally, such as Toyota and Joby’s milestone with their first international eVTOL flight, highlighting the growing momentum of aerial transport innovations.

A Step Towards Aerial Transport Integration

The large-scale test was coordinated by the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) and monitored by three U-Space service providers—ENAIRE, ITG, and UAB—ensuring safety and efficiency. These digital platforms play a crucial role in managing drone and air taxi traffic, a system that will be vital for integrating such technology into city transport networks.

Mayor Antonio Pérez acknowledged Benidorm’s leadership in aerial mobility innovation:

"Benidorm continues to embrace cutting-edge technology, reinforcing our city’s commitment to the future of transportation."

Experts believe this test will accelerate the development of regulations and infrastructure, including vertiports, to support air taxis in the coming years.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite the success, key challenges remain before air taxis can operate on a larger scale. Regulations must be refined, air traffic systems improved, and public acceptance gained. The U-ELCOME project, which involves 51 partners across Spain, France, and Italy, is conducting similar tests in other European cities, aiming to create a structured framework for safe and efficient urban air mobility.