Recent trials in Valencia and Seville showcase how U-space services enhance emergency response, logistics, and infrastructure monitoring in complex port environments.
by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb
As Europe continues its project of unifying its airspace to include drone operations, the U-ELCOME project continues to make significant strides in aiding these efforts via large-scale UAV validation tests. Recently, the ports of Valencia and Seville in Spain have hosted key demonstrations showcasing the potential of U-space services to enhance logistics, emergency response, and operational efficiency in complex port environments.
On January 23, 2025, the Port of Valencia hosted a groundbreaking U-Space validation exercise with drones in an emergency drill. The event, organized by the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) in collaboration with the Valencia Port Authority, featured participation from Customs Surveillance, the Local Police of Valencia, the Valencia Fire Department, and industry players such as UAV Works and PrimeCor Systems. Notable attendees included Esther Gómez, Secretary for Universities of the Valencian Community, and Enrique Belda, Director of the Valencia Port Authority, alongside representatives from ENAIRE, Fundación Valenciaport, and companies like APM Terminals and Valencia Terminal Europa.
The Valencia demonstration highlighted the ability of U-space services to coordinate multiple drone operations simultaneously, including anchorage zone surveillance, topographical assessments, emergency logistics, and public safety support. Operations were managed through the U-space ecosystem, involving U-space service providers (USSPs) ENAIRE, DALIAH (associated with the Instituto Tecnológico de Galicia), and DronAS (DroneLab of the Autonomous University of Barcelona), alongside the national Common Information Service Provider (CISP) managed by ENAIRE. This setup simulated a real-time emergency response scenario, centralizing operations in an Advanced Command Post (PMA) to demonstrate the effectiveness of coordinated drone management.
Following successful drills in Valencia, the Port of Seville hosted another milestone demonstration on February 8, 2025, focusing on drone applications for logistics and infrastructure monitoring. This event, organized by ENAIRE, the Seville Port Authority, and the AIRUS consortium, tested how U-space services can support safe, efficient, and scalable drone operations in port environments.
The Seville trials featured a series of drone flights simulating logistical support, perimeter surveillance, and infrastructure monitoring within the port’s facilities. The tests also successfully demonstrated beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, essential for expanding drone applications in industrial and logistics settings. The Seville Port Authority, long an active supporter of drone integration, showcased how these technologies can improve port management and optimize daily operations.
The demonstrations were designed to underline U-ELCOME project’s commitment to developing a single, scalable framework for drone operations across Europe. By integrating U-space services in real-world port environments, these trials contribute to enhancing safety, efficiency, and sustainability in urban and industrial airspace. Looking ahead, the U-ELCOME project will continue its series of validation exercises, with the next major Open Day scheduled for February 27 in Benidorm, where new capabilities of U-space service providers and high-performance drone models will be tested in urban environments.
The U-ELCOME is a 3-year SESAR Digital Sky Demonstrator project, involving 51 partners whose overall aim is to support the market uptake of U1 and U2 services. With demonstrations taking place across three European countries, the project aims to develop interoperability and support EU unification of U-space services. U-ELCOME has a budget of 14 million euros financed with CEF (Connecting Europe Facility) funds and is financed to continue its mission through October of 2025. More information on the project is available here.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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