On Thursday, February 27, 2025, residents and tourists in Benidorm witnessed a spectacular test flight. As they gazed up at a mysterious object slowly hovering over the beach, many wondered: Was this a UFO or a secret military project? But soon, the truth became clear—it was not an extraterrestrial ship, but an air taxi!

This impressive futuristic drone, designed for passenger transport, marked a milestone in the future of urban air mobility. Benidorm made history with the first-ever air taxi test flight in an urban environment. The passenger drone flew autonomously, without a pilot or a runway, over the iconic Poniente Beach.

European project

The test was part of the European U-ELCOME project, which explores how air taxis and drones can transform urban transportation. The introduction of this technology brings us closer to a future where traffic congestion can be avoided by flying over the city.

The air taxi, an electric-powered model developed by EHang, weighs 600 kilograms and can carry two passengers with a combined weight of up to 200 kilograms. With the ability to take off and land vertically, the vehicle can stay airborne for approximately 30 to 40 minutes and cover a distance of about 35 kilometers. Future models are expected to have an even longer range.

Although no passengers were on board during this test, it marks a significant step toward the integration of air taxis into urban environments. The test was conducted by the University of Valencia in collaboration with other European countries. The air taxi took off from Benidorm’s port and flew over the bay, while twelve drones simultaneously operated in different parts of the city, including the Levante and Poniente beaches and the Els Tolls district. Special digital systems ensured that all devices were safely and efficiently controlled.

The future of transport

Benidorm’s mayor emphasized that the city has been working with drone technology since 2016 and that it now plays a key role in the future of transportation. The region’s diverse landscape—ranging from the sea to urban areas—makes it an ideal location for testing new aerial vehicles.

The test demonstrated that air taxis and drones can be used safely and efficiently in urban airspace. EHang, the company behind the air taxi, has already completed more than 50,000 successful flights in 18 countries and is working with European authorities to obtain the necessary certifications.

The U-ELCOME project, led by EUROCONTROL, aims to test new technologies that facilitate the integration of drones and air taxis into the airspace. This initiative will help establish regulations and systems for safe air traffic management.

With this successful test flight in Benidorm, an important step has been taken toward a future where air taxis and drones become a common part of urban transportation.