Revolutionizing Travel: Drone Taxis at Málaga Airport by Mid-2025
Get ready for a revolutionary travel experience as Málaga Airport prepares to introduce drone taxis by mid-2025. Soon, you can soar from Málaga Airport to Marbella in just 15 minutes, transforming your journey into a quick and futuristic adventure.
The Future is Now: High-Speed Drone Taxi Travel
The concept of high-speed aerial travel, once confined to science fiction, is about to become a reality. By this time next year, drone taxis will start operating, providing a swift and efficient 15-minute flight from Málaga Airport to Marbella. Initially piloted, these drones aim to transition to fully autonomous operation, echoing the advancements seen with self-driving cars in China and the United States.
Infrastructure and Development: The Vertiport
To support this innovative mode of transport, a ‘vertiport’ will be established, equipped with high-powered electrical charging points. This new facility may be located in an annex terminal or a repurposed existing terminal, with Aena, the airport operator, actively studying potential sites for this essential infrastructure.
Leading the Way in Air Mobility
According to Sur in English, Raúl Delgado, head of Málaga Airport's control tower, emphasized the airport's commitment to pioneering this technology. 'Enaire, the public company managing air navigation in Spain, and its R+D subsidiary, Crida, selected Málaga to test this new technology, and we immediately raised our hand,' Delgado stated. The airport is involved in the OperA project, which aims to integrate aerial mobility vehicles with existing airport infrastructure, ensuring safe coexistence.
Collaborative Efforts for a Safer Skies
Málaga Airport controllers are part of the Ensure initiative and other European projects under Sesar, an EU consortium dedicated to the future of aviation within the Single European Sky. Delgado highlighted Málaga's role as a spearhead for Enaire, noting the airport's position as a benchmark for drone technology in Spain.
Democratizing Air Travel
Delgado assures that drone taxis will not be exclusive to the wealthy. 'Within three to four years, we could have air taxis in circulation, with companies in Málaga already showing interest in this technology.' The future market structure, whether more akin to taxis, airlines, or a hybrid, is still under development.
Pioneering Technology: Lilium's Contribution
The first passenger drone set to operate in Málaga is being developed by German company Lilium, a leader in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology. Established in Munich in 2015, Lilium is renowned for its innovative Lilium Jet, a fully electric vehicle capable of carrying four to six passengers, cruising at 280 km/h, with a range of approximately 250 km.
A Glimpse into the Future
In the next decade, drone flights are expected to outnumber commercial flights by a factor of 10 to 1. Currently, Málaga Airport handles 600 flights on peak days. With the advent of drone taxis, this number could surge to 6,000 small aircraft operations daily, encompassing urban mobility, surveillance, agriculture, cleaning, parcel delivery, and more.
Conclusion
Stay tuned for the exciting launch of drone taxis at Málaga Airport, and be among the first to experience a transformative journey from Málaga to Marbella in just 15 minutes. Embrace the future of travel – fast, efficient, and exhilarating – as Málaga leads the way in urban air mobility.
Sources: Sur In English Diario Sur