The European U-ELCOME project holds its final drone flight demonstration with U-Space services in Fuerteventura

The European U-ELCOME project, coordinated by EUROCONTROL and led by ENAIRE in Spain, concluded its final validation campaign in Fuerteventura with a practical demonstration of U-Space technology, focused on the automated management of drone operations in airspace. 

The trial took place at the Canarias Stratoport for HAPS & UAS, a public facility of Parque Tecnológico de Fuerteventura S.A., specialised in the testing and operation of unmanned aerial platforms, such as drones (UAS) and high-altitude pseudo-satellites (HAPS). 

During the exercise, emergency situations requiring aerial reconnaissance and the transport of medical supplies were simulated. Flights were conducted by UAS operated by the Telespazio Ibérica – Pegasus joint venture, which detected an incident and activated an emergency protocol. A helicopter from the Emergency and Rescue Service of the Canary Islands Government then took off from Fuerteventura Airport to provide assistance. In the second phase, the delivery of medicines from the General Hospital was simulated using UAS, which transported them to the incident site. 

The entire operation was coordinated thanks to U-Space services, managed on this occasion by ENAIRE and ITG, which enabled the safe integration of drones with conventional air traffic, with the trial taking place in controlled airspace. 

What is U-space? 

As part of the European Digital Sky initiative, the European Union has developed the concept of U-space as a set of digital services and specific procedures designed to enable the safe, efficient and automated management of drones, especially in areas with high air traffic density or near airports. 

In this context, ENAIRE has been designated the Sole Common Information Services Provider (CISP) in Spain. This role makes ENAIRE the bridge between traditional air navigation services and new digital drone operators. Through its U-space platform, ENAIRE facilitates the exchange of essential data, ensuring smooth and safe coordination of airspace in areas where U-space is applied. 

“With this drone flight demonstration in Fuerteventura, we conclude the final validation campaign carried out over the three-year duration of the U-ELCOME project across eight Spanish Autonomous Communities. However, thanks to this project, drone flights with the use cases we have demonstrated here will continue in many of these regions,” said Rodrigo Benedit Pascual, a technician in ENAIRE’s Drone Business Development Department and technical coordinator of the U-ELCOME project in Spain. He added, “The Fuerteventura Technology Park is a national benchmark for unmanned aerial operations and, together with other selected locations in Spain, has been and will continue to be very important for validating the implementation of U-Space in our country". 

About the U-ELCOME Project 

The U-ELCOME project (U-space European COMmon dEpLoyment) is a European initiative, technically managed by SESAR Joint Undertaking and funded by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Agency, aimed at promoting the safe and efficient integration of drones into airspace through the deployment of U-space services. It is coordinated by EUROCONTROL and involves 51 partners across Europe, with U-space flight service demonstrations at 15 locations in Spain, Italy and France. 

In Spain, activities are taking place in eight autonomous communities: Andalusia, Aragon, Canary Islands, Catalonia, Valencian Community, Galicia, Madrid and Navarre. The project seeks to encourage the adoption of basic U1 and U2 services, facilitating the safe integration of drones into European airspace. 

This project has received funding from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) under grant agreement No 101079171. 

About ENAIRE 

ENAIRE is the air navigation service provider in Spain. 

As a company of the Ministry of Sustainable Transport and Mobility, it provides air traffic control services during the en route and approach phases of all flights to and from Spain and overflights. In addition, it manages communications, navigation and surveillance services from ENAIRE in the airspace and the entire AENA airport network in Spain and provides aerodrome air traffic control services in 21 airports, including the busiest. 

ENAIRE is the fourth largest European air navigation service provider, and it is a member of international partnerships A6 Alliance, SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) Joint Undertaking, SESAR Deployment Manager, iTEC, CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation) and collaborates closely with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization). 

ENAIRE has received the highest score in Europe on the aviation safety key performance indicator for four years in a row. It has also been awarded the EFQM 600 Seal for its safe, efficient, innovative and sustainable management of air navigation services.