On 22 and 23 October 2024, industry representatives, national aviation authorities and regulatory experts gathered at the headquarters of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in Cologne to discuss the future of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The main objective of the Innovative Mobility Forum was to enhance the dialogue between aviation authorities and key industry players – manufacturers, operators and U-space service providers as well as other stakeholders.
The forum was held in a hybrid format at EASA’s Cologne headquarters on 22-23 October 2024. The event brought together representatives from industry and regulators to discuss progress and challenges in the field of Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) and U-space. The programme included a presentation on the European Drone Strategy 2.0 and sessions dedicated to regulations and public acceptance of IAM. Participants exchanged experiences and ideas for the safe and sustainable development of the drone market.
In order to ensure adequate representation of all stakeholders, members of the European Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Associations were given priority for on-site participation. Online participation was free of charge and with no limit to the number of participants.
Todor Ivandjikov, Chairman of the Bulgarian Aviation Industry Association (BAIA), and Stefan Hristozov, also a representative of the association, were among the key participants in the event.
The forum kicked off with a half-day session dedicated to exchanges between authorities and industry executives focused on the state of the regulatory framework for IAM and U-space, as well as market forecasts that guide EASA and national authorities’ efforts in the coming years. Progress on the European Drone Strategy 2.0 was also presented in cooperation with the European Commission. It covered a number of important topics for the development of drone technologies and their integration into European airspace:
Regulatory Framework for Innovative Air Mobility and U-space: The latest updates to the regulatory framework for drones were presented, based on feedback from industry and aviation authorities, with the aim of creating sustainable and forward-looking regulations. The current status of the regulatory framework for Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) was discussed, including the U-space initiative, which aims to create a regulated and controlled environment for drones and unmanned aerial systems in the EU
Interactive workshops: participants had the opportunity to take part in hands-on sessions focused on cutting-edge technologies and operational concepts that drive innovation and collaboration in the sector. Working groups discussed specific technical challenges and regulatory issues related to the deployment of innovative air mobility in Europe
Future vision for U-space: EASA presented its vision for the integration of BLS into the wider airspace, with a focus on safety and efficient air traffic management.
Cooperation and innovation: the Forum addressed the need for increased cooperation between aviation authorities and stakeholders to balance technological advances with rigorous safety standards.
Presentation of the European Drone Strategy 2.0: The European Drone Strategy was presented, which aims to regulate and support the sustainable and safe integration of drones into European airspace.
Market forecasts and trends: market forecasts and trends that will determine the development of the sector in the coming years were discussed. Emphasis was placed on growth expectations and the challenges the industry will face in adopting new technologies.
Public Attitudes to Adopt Innovative Air Mobility: The need for public support for the introduction of IAM was addressed. Emphasis was placed on public awareness of the benefits and safety of these new technologies.
Sharing best practices: participants shared best practices and suggested concrete steps to facilitate the deployment of IAM technologies, including international cooperation and harmonization of standards within the EU.
Consensus was reached on the need for active collaboration between the private sector and regulators to more effectively implement safety regulations and technologies. Guidelines and recommendations were created for next steps in the development of IAM and U-space, including accelerating legislative processes and deployment of technology solutions.Measures were taken to increase public awareness and confidence in IAM through educational initiatives and communication strategies. The Forum provided a platform for the exchange of ideas and practices to facilitate the safe and sustainable development of innovative air mobility in Europe.
The participation of Bulgarian representatives and the focus on environmental technologies highlighted the importance of cooperation between industry and regulators to achieve a safe and sustainable future for unmanned aerial systems.
The Innovative Mobility Forum in Cologne has emerged as a key event for the development of drones and their integration into European airspace, underlining the commitment of EASA and stakeholders to develop the market for drones and IAM technologies, applying high standards of safety and sustainability.
Here is all the material from the forum:
