ENAIRE showcases its U-space digital services at Expodrónica

As Spain’s national air navigation service provider, ENAIRE is playing a key role in the development and implementation of U-space — the new European ecosystem for the digital, safe, and automated management of drone traffic, as defined by the European Commission. At the Expodrónica trade fair, held at the Ocaña Aerodrome from June 11 to 12, ENAIRE is showcasing its digital services for drones.

U-space is the set of digital services established by the European Commission to manage unmanned aircraft traffic in high-density airspace environments

ENAIRE is finalising its own U-space platform, which will provide advanced digital services to drone operators, facilitating:

- Awareness of U-space geographical zones.

- Submission and approval of flight plans.

- Dynamic airspace management.

- Real-time monitoring and oversight of UAS traffic.

- Coordination with air traffic controllers in areas near airports.

The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility appointed ENAIRE as the Common Information Services Provider (CISP) in Spain. This means it will act as the central hub for information exchange among the different stakeholders: U-space providers, drone operators, and conventional air navigation services.

Additionally, with its applications planea.enaire.es for managing aerial work authorisations, and drones.enaire.es, an information app providing essential data for safe drone flights (restricted areas, notifications, regulations, etc.), ENAIRE promotes more efficient, safe and sustainable air mobility by integrating drones into the airspace in an orderly and coordinated manner alongside conventional air traffic.

Expodrónica

This event brings together companies, institutions, government bodies, law enforcement agencies, and industry experts to share progress, projects, and collaboration opportunities. ENAIRE is present in an exhibition area alongside drone manufacturers, software developers, and other entities such as CANSO, the international organization representing air navigation service providers, and SIAM, Spain’s first cluster dedicated to innovative air mobility (Spanish Innovative Air Mobility). Their goal is to promote the development of vertiports and foster collaboration to shape the future of urban air mobility in Spain.

During the event, Marina Jiménez, UAS and U-space specialist from EUROCONTROL, and Rodrigo Benedit, a technician from ENAIRE’s Drone Business Development Department, presented the findings of the U-ELCOME project, which aims to deploy U-space across several European countries, with ENAIRE coordinating its implementation in Spain. The presentation was accompanied by a drone flight demonstration involving four U-space service providers, including one from Italy. This marked the first time in Europe that multiple U-space systems from different countries successfully operated simultaneously in an integrated manner.

[Raquel Moldes, with the micophone, from ENAIRE's Drone Business Development Departament, at Expodrónica].

Raquel Moldes, technician from ENAIRE’s Drone Business Development Department, is also participating in the panel discussion “Unlocking Innovative Air Services: The ESCAI Model as a Catalyst”, moderated by Ernesto de la Fuente, International Aviation Bid Proposal at Ineco. The panel includes Pablo Menéndez Ponte, CNS/ATM/UTM Project Leader and secretary general of working groups at the SIAM Cluster; Alejandra Martínez, aerospace engineer at AESA; Christophe Mazel, consultant at Technowest; and Ángel del Real from Aerial Works.