The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced on 19 October 2026 that New Mexico has conducted its first demonstration flight under the Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), led by the City of Albuquerque Aviation Department. New Mexico becomes the sixth location to launch a demonstration under the programme, following North Carolina’s launch in late September.

The demonstration, held the previous week, saw the City of Albuquerque Aviation Department and Reliable Robotics conduct a hybrid-electric flight at Albuquerque International Sunport, testing cargo deliveries using Reliable’s remotely piloted Cessna 208B Caravan aircraft.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said the test flights were “bringing the future of flight to the entire world, not just the United States,” adding: “Modern aviation started in America with the Wright Brothers’ first flight, and we’re continuing to bring innovation in aviation with these new-generation aircraft.”

“These demonstrations in Albuquerque help ensure we’re getting things done safely and efficiently,” said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford. “Every test flight provides critical data to help build a system that strengthens our nation’s infrastructure and connects communities.”

“Our city has always been a place where big ideas take flight, and we want to be a city that says yes to new technology and new opportunities,” said Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller. “By putting the Sunport to work as a testing ground for the future of aviation, we’re helping bring new industries to New Mexico, strengthen our regional economy, and show what’s possible when we embrace innovation.”

“Our partnership with Reliable Robotics reflects the kind of collaboration we embrace at the Sunport, working with aviation innovators and the FAA to help shape the future of flight. It is an honour to be one of just eight designees nationwide participating in the FAA’s eIPP,” said Manny Manriquez, director of aviation for the City of Albuquerque. “With a focus on advancing autonomous aircraft operations, we take seriously our responsibility to help inform the safe integration of these emerging technologies into the National Airspace System by providing the data and insights the FAA needs to develop appropriate policies and requirements for this evolving industry.”

“Reliable’s work with the FAA and the City of Albuquerque is building the roadmap for integrating autonomy into high-density airspaces, clearing a major hurdle toward commercial operations,” said Robert Rose, CEO and co-founder of Reliable Robotics. “We’re excited by this significant milestone, and to show how autonomy can both benefit national competitiveness and bring value to everyday Americans.”

PROGRAMME BACKGROUND

The eIPP, unveiled by Secretary Duffy in March, spans eight selected projects across 28 states, partnering with aircraft manufacturers, operators and state and local authorities to test applications including urban air taxi services, regional passenger transportation (including short takeoff and landing aircraft), cargo and logistics networks, emergency medical response operations, autonomous flight technologies, and offshore and energy-sector transportation. The FAA may use data gathered through the pilot projects to develop new regulations enabling the technology safely at scale. The programme follows the Department’s first advanced air mobility (AAM) strategy, launched last year, which set out 40 recommendations to support AAM operations safely and efficiently, and stems from a federal executive order on drone integration.