Lorraine Williamson
Benidorm, long known for its golden beaches and gleaming skyline, is preparing to make history again — this time in the skies. The Costa Blanca resort is on track to become the first European city with a certified urban drone platform, paving the way for air taxis, rapid medical deliveries, and automated logistics.
By April 2026, drones will officially be cleared to fly over the city under a digitally managed system that keeps them safely away from schools, public squares, and densely populated zones. What began as an ambitious pilot project is now shaping into a full-fledged revolution in urban air mobility.
From tourist towers to flying taxis
The story began with a spectacular test flight in February 2025, when an unmanned air taxi soared above Benidorm’s Poniente and Levante beaches, accompanied by a fleet of twelve drones. The demonstration, part of the European U-ELCOME project, showcased a future where drones can deliver parcels, assist emergency services, and monitor infrastructure — all coordinated by an automated control system.
It was Europe’s first test of this scale, and the results were remarkable. The operation ran flawlessly, proving that a busy urban resort could safely integrate drone traffic above its skyline.
Why Benidorm was chosen to lead
Benidorm may seem an unlikely pioneer, but its vertical skyline and digital infrastructure make it ideal for drone navigation. Since 2016, the city has invested heavily in smart technologies — from 5G connectivity to high-resolution mapping of its urban landscape.
Working alongside the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) and Chinese manufacturer EHang, the city has developed applications beyond tourism. Drones are already being tested for agricultural monitoring, disaster response, and structural inspections of high-rise buildings — a nod to Benidorm’s unique urban topography.
Benidorm fights beach thefts with drones
2026: Certified skies ahead
The next major milestone comes in April 2026, when Benidorm’s drone platform is due to receive full certification from European aviation authorities. Once approved, it will be the first of its kind in Europe — allowing regulated drone operations in an urban environment.
The platform uses real-time data to prevent drones from entering restricted zones and ensures flight paths are automatically adjusted to avoid congestion. City officials say the goal is not just innovation for its own sake but creating a model for other European cities to follow.
Neighbouring Alcoy joins the race
The revolution is spreading beyond the coast. In Alcoy, a smaller city nestled in Alicante’s interior, drones are already being used to deliver medical supplies to remote areas. During a recent smart city and big data conference, local authorities demonstrated how drones can also collect environmental data and support emergency services.
With European funding and technical backing from UPV, Alcoy aims to position itself as a testing hub for future logistics and healthcare applications — turning the region into a living laboratory for smart mobility.
Can Europe handle the drone era?
The prospect of air taxis and autonomous deliveries excites engineers but raises complex questions. According to Professor Israel Quintanilla of UPV, large-scale drone transport could become a reality within five years — provided that Europe moves quickly to establish clear regulations, robust safety systems, and public confidence.
Benidorm, he argues, has already taken the hardest step: embracing change. If successful, its skies could soon carry not just holidaymakers’ hopes but the blueprint for how European cities will move, connect, and deliver in the decades ahead.
The dawn of urban air mobility
As Benidorm looks skyward, it symbolises a broader European ambition — transforming airspace into the next frontier of sustainable mobility. From emergency aid to on-demand air taxis, the city that once reinvented Mediterranean tourism is now reinventing transport itself.
If all goes to plan, by 2026, Benidorm’s blue skies won’t just frame the beach — they’ll be the busiest new transport corridor in Europe.
Source: Informacion.es