European skies are preparing for a new phase in which Drones and airplanes will share the airspace In a coordinated manner. Indra and ENAIRE have completed a series of tests in Malaga that demonstrate that this coexistence is possible without put security at risk nor the daily operations of the airports.
The validation performed in the Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport, managed by Aena, has allowed us to see how the unmanned aircraft traffic management systems (U-space) They can interoperate with conventional air traffic control (ATM). Thanks to this technical and operational demonstration, the door is now open for drones to gradually become part of the standard operating environment in Spain and the rest of Europe.
A key demonstration in Malaga for European airspace
During the tests carried out in Malaga, it has been validated, under real conditions, interoperability between U-space and ATM at a commercial airport with manned traffic. The objective was to demonstrate that drone flights can be planned, authorized, and monitored in real time without interfering with the conventional aviation and respecting the highest safety standards at all times.
The demonstration was part of the European project ENSUREFunded by the European Commission through the Horizon Europe funds and coordinated by the SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking, this project has tested procedures, technologies, and coordination methods designed for various scenarios. high level of complexity, such as airport environments or adjacent urban areas to the airport.
The operations performed covered the entire flight cycle: from the previous planning from the operation to real-time management from the control tower. This required a constant coordination between the participating drone operators and the ENAIRE air traffic controllers, who maintained absolute priority for manned traffic while simultaneously monitoring unmanned flights.
The ENSURE project, led by Indra, brings together 18 top-tier European partnersThese include air navigation service providers, research centers, the technology industry, and various stakeholders specializing in air mobility. ENAIRE participates as an air navigation service provider and as the sole provider of common information services in Spain, a key component for the operational launch of U-space in the country.
From an institutional and regulatory perspective, the Malaga validation process has a strategic character, because brings Spain closer to the actual deployment of the European Digital Skywhere drones, helicopters, commercial aircraft and other unmanned systems They will share information and space. under a common management framework.
ATM-U-space interface: how manned and unmanned traffic is coordinated
The technological core of the demonstration has been the ATM-U-space interface developed by IndraThis system acts as a bridge between the drone management environment and the conventional air traffic control system, allowing a continuous exchange of data in both directions.
Thanks to this interface, controllers can see the position, flight plan, and progress of drone operations on their systems, which makes it easier dynamically adjust the airspace depending on the needs at any given time. In this way, restricted areas or specific corridors are established for unmanned flights without hindering the traffic of manned aircraft.
Tests have shown that, with this technology, it is feasible to integrate individual drone operations in areas of higher operational risk, such as proximity to runways, approaches or critical areas of the airport, maintaining separation and minimizing the possibility of conflict between airspace users.
The systems also incorporate alert and monitoring mechanisms, so that if a drone were to approach a manned aircraft or an unauthorized area too closely, an immediate warning would be generated for controllers, who could reconfigure routes or deny access to a specific area. The goal is for coordination to be virtually instantaneous, avoiding slow or manual processes that could be critical in emergency situations.
Currently, many drone flights that pose a certain risk require applications weeks in advance and telephone coordination with control towers. With the ENSURE solution and the ATM-U-space interface, controllers will be able to track these flights live, authorize route changes, and manage any incidents with a complete view of what is happening in the airspace.
Two technological solutions for the same challenge
Within the ENSURE project, two R&D solutions aimed at facilitating the safe coexistence of drones and airplanes in airports and their immediate surroundings. Both have successfully passed the tests carried out in Malaga.
The first solution focuses on the use of drones for the inspection of runways and critical areas of the airportIn this case, a temporary and localized airspace restriction is established only on the runway where the drone is operating, without affecting manned traffic using other runways or approach routes. This allows for more frequent and faster maintenance and inspection tasks with less impact on operations.
The second solution is based on the management of a dynamically restricted airspaceIn other words, the system defines and adapts in real time specific areas where drones can operate, integrating them into the air traffic controllers' overall view. Thus, unmanned air traffic is incorporated into the general management scheme without being excluded from conventional control.
Both solutions allow the control tower to have an accurate picture of what is happening at any given moment, preventing the appearance of unidentified objects on radar, which complicates management because their flight plan, takeoff and landing times, or operational intentions are unknown. With ENSURE, all that traffic is tracked, authorized, and protected within a regulated framework.
For controllers, this monitoring and control capability represents a significant change: they will be able to authorize flight zones for dronesto propose or demand route changes, or to prohibit passage through certain areas when deemed necessary, always maintaining the priority of commercial traffic and ensuring that safety remains the fundamental pillar.
New drone operations: from inspection to emergencies
The orderly integration of drones into airspace opens the door to a multitude of practical applications with a direct impact on daily life. Among the most notable are the infrastructure inspection (power lines, railways, roads or bridges), the monitoring of critical facilities, environmental monitoring and emergency management.
In the field of emergencies, this technology will allow, for example, that it will be possible transport organs for transplants Drones can be used to transport patients from an accident site to a hospital or between healthcare facilities, reducing travel times and operating in airspace controlled by the airport authority. Coordination with medical helicopters for patient transfers between hospitals or to hard-to-reach areas is also planned.
Another field with great potential is that of delivery and logistics servicesThis applies to both urban and rural areas. The ability for drones to share real-time information with the ATM system and other airspace users will allow for the design of safer and more efficient routes, reducing delivery times and minimizing risks.
In the airport environment, the incorporation of drones for tasks of maintenance, runway inspection and beacon check It can help reduce downtime and optimize operations planning, without increasing the risk to manned traffic or personnel on the ground.
All of this requires a framework in which operations are managed digitally, traceably and automatically, something that ENSURE helps to promote by demonstrating that it is possible to coordinate drones and airplanes in the same airspace in a robust and reliable manner.
The role of ENAIRE and Indra in the development of U-space in Spain
In Spain, ENAIRE is deploying one of the most advanced platforms of unmanned air traffic management (U-space)with Indra as the main technology provider. This infrastructure will be the foundation upon which services for drone operators will be built and will allow operations to be fully integrated into the national air navigation ecosystem.
As an air navigation service provider and the sole provider of common information services, ENAIRE has the responsibility to coordinate the operational implementation of the U-space and ensure that relevant information (flight plans, restrictions, authorizations, traffic data) is available in a consistent manner to all stakeholders.
For its part, Indra brings its decades of experience in systems air traffic management (ATM)With over 11.000 equipped facilities worldwide and a next-generation portfolio of solutions capable of managing a flight from start to finish, from takeoff to arrival at the destination.
The ENSURE project has further strengthened collaboration between the two entities, which were already working on modernizing airspace management and transitioning to a more digitized and automated model. The validation in Malaga reinforces their role as leaders in the field of Advanced air mobility in Europe.
The expectation is that the capabilities demonstrated in this project will be able to to move to actual operations within a one- to two-year timeframe, once the regulatory phases are completed and the necessary operating procedures for daily use are consolidated.
Technological leadership and consolidation of the European U-space
The progress achieved in Malaga comes at a time of Strong growth in drone use in EuropeDriven by the demand for surveillance, maintenance, inspection, and transportation services across diverse sectors, this expansion makes it essential to have unmanned traffic management systems that guarantee the safety and efficiency of these operations.
In this context, Indra Group has strengthened its position in the international market with the GuardianUTM acquisitionAltitude Angel, the unmanned traffic management platform from the British company, has been acquired. This acquisition expands its portfolio with specific solutions for U-space that complement its traditional ATM systems.
The combination of Indra's experience in conventional air traffic, ENAIRE's capacity as an air navigation service provider, and technology from GuardianUTM puts Spain in a leading position to lead the operational deployment of the U-space within the European regulatory framework.
In addition to promoting safety and efficiency, this new sector is destined to generate new services, skilled employment and technological knowledge in the country, promoting innovation in the aeronautical industry as well as in areas such as logistics, security, civil protection or environmental management.
The validation of ENSURE in an environment as demanding as Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport demonstrates that the integration of drones and airplanes is no longer a future concept but a tangible reality upon which future projects can now be built. business models and operating frameworks stable.
Everything tested in Malaga points to a scenario in which drones and manned aircraft will share the sky in a coordinated manner, supported by advanced digital systems, real-time data exchange interfaces, and common procedures; a key step for Spain and Europe to consolidate an airspace in which the Technological innovation and operational safety go hand in hand and allow us to take full advantage of the potential of unmanned aerial mobility.
