Safe and Flexible Integration of Initial U-space Services in a Real Environment

The SAFIR consortium carried out simultaneous drone flights for tasks including package deliveries, inspection flights and emergency situations. Following completion of the trial round at the DronePort in Sint-Truiden, the partners tested simultaneous drone flights over the city of Antwerp and the Port of Antwerp, in a world first.

“Drones are a key element in the development of a digital nervous system through the port of Antwerp,” said Erwin Verstraelen, chief digital information & innovation officer at the Port of Antwerp. “A live feed of the various port activities thanks to a network of autonomous drones is a useful tool for the entire port community. The combination of industry and logistics makes the port environment an excellent testing ground for the SAFIR project and other planned drone demonstrations.”

The demonstrations carried out by the EU-funded project are providing practical insights for the SESAR public-private partnership, which is the entity responsible for coordinating all EU air traffic management research and development activities. The demonstrations contribute to the European Commission’s regulatory process for safe, standardized and more harmonious access to airspace for drones.

SABCA performed urban UAS demonstration flights above the City of Antwerp.

Organisations in the consortium include Amazon Prime Air, Port of Antwerp, Aveillant, C-Astral, DronePort, Elia, Explicit, Helicus, Proximus, SABCA, Skeyes, Tekever and Unifly.

Funding: SESAR JU, U-Space Very Large Scale Demonstration Project
Project duration: 2018 – 2019

Press:
De Tijd, Port Strategy, EMERCE,