ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – Albuquerque has been selected as one of a small number of regions nationwide to participate in a federal pilot program testing next‑generation electric aircraft, often referred to as “flying cars.”
Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation officials chose the City of Albuquerque Aviation Department, in partnership with Reliable Robotics, to take part in the Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program. The initiative will focus on testing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, known as eVTOLs, with an emphasis on autonomous cargo operations.
The aircraft combine the vertical lift of helicopters with the forward flight efficiency of airplanes. Developers say the technology is designed to be quieter, more energy‑efficient, and capable of producing fewer emissions than traditional helicopters.
Over the next three years, the pilot program will examine how eVTOL aircraft can be safely integrated into the national airspace while the FAA works through the certification process. Planned testing includes cargo delivery flights, regional connections between cities such as Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Durango, and potential emergency response uses.
Officials say initial test flights in the Albuquerque area could begin as early as this summer, marking one of the first real‑world operational phases for the technology in New Mexico.
Albuquerque’s selection places it among just eight projects chosen nationwide from more than 30 proposals. Federal officials say the limited number of participants reflects the complexity and safety considerations involved in integrating advanced air mobility into existing aviation systems.
The program is also viewed as a potential way to improve transportation options in rural and underserved areas, including parts of northern New Mexico and the Four Corners region, where traditional infrastructure can be limited.
City and aviation officials say the project positions Albuquerque as an early testing ground for emerging aviation technology, while helping shape future standards for electric and autonomous flight. Broader passenger use, including air taxi services, is expected to be evaluated in later phases once cargo and safety testing are complete.
Additional details about flight schedules, testing locations, and operational partners are expected to be released as the program moves forward.
