Would you please recapitulate the main features of EASA strategy for Innovative Air Mobility in the short and medium term?

EASA’s strategy for IAM follows the European Commission Drone Strategy 2.0 which aims at fostering the UAS market in the open and specific category and the initial manned eVTOL capable aircraft operations together with the wide deployment of U-space airspace in all EU Member States by 2030. Our strategy and actions are reviewed annually following an industry survey and are discussed with the Member States and industry. In the short term, EASA will focus most of its resources in the implementation of the already existing framework. Basically, we will support the implementation of more complex UAS operations in the specific category, simplify the implementation of the regulations for existing operators and support the Member States to harmonize the implementation of the European Regulation and to truly create a UAS service market in the EU. This goes together with the wide implementation of the U-space airspace in the European airspace, creating a free movement of certified USSPs across the EU to boost safe implementation and level playing field. Last but not the least, the Agency will monitor the implementation of the regulations enabling the first eVTOL capable aircraft operations (piloted day VFR operations) to gain experience and data which will be essential to prepare for more complex operations on a step-by-step approach. In the long term, the Agency plans to evaluate all the data and experience gathered in order to extend the scope of the regulation to more complex operations with a high level of automation and digitalization.

Following the recent ICAO AAM Symposium, and in view of the incoming EASA IAM Implementation Forum, how would you describe commonalities and peculiarities of the European way to Innovative Air Mobility, compared to what is happening in other parts of the world?

Answer: From what we know and from EASA’s participation in the ICAO AAM Study Group and ICAO IAM Symposium, Europe has already developed the first regulations to enable the European industry to grow in the domain of IAM/AAM. We have a basis for certification of vehicles and a basis to approve initial operations and we can grow from there. Now the USA is also there and soon will follow Brazil, Japan, UK and so on. We believe that Europe is well positioned in this respect. What we need now is a strong European industry leading the implementation of IAM in Europe and setting the standards worldwide, while at the same time achieving the highest level of public confidence which is key to make this industry a success as our study on societal acceptance of urban air mobility has shown.

The deployment of U-space is a milestone towards developing IAM in the European Union; what is the state of the art, and what shall we expect in terms of next evolutionary steps?

Answer: Based on the data we collected through an initial survey with the Member States on the U-space implementation, the Agency has information on some U-space implementation projects e.g. in Spain, Belgium, Switzerland and more recently in Italy. In addition, we are well aware of ongoing certifications of candidate single common information service providers and candidate U-space service providers in some Member States; meanwhile EASA is also conducting two certifications of non-European USSP.  Although it requires more time than initially expected, some Member States, their Competent Authorities, and of course the industry, are actively working on the first U-space airspace designations, and there are very good signs that there will be concrete outcomes in 2025. The next steps will be to get data and feedback from actual implementations, including those linked to SESAR 3 projects and to evaluate which improvements can be made in the regulatory material. Initially in the AMC/GM and then, if necessary, later on in the Regulation. However, the later only after a proper impact assessment has been carried out and the necessary evolutions identified e.g. to introduce new services.