Belgium-based Unifly, a subsidiary of Terra Drone Corporation, has completed the SAFIR-Ready project—an EU-backed initiative aimed at accelerating the deployment of U-space services across Europe. The project marks a significant milestone in integrating drones into manned airspace through harmonized traffic management systems.
SAFIR-Ready: A Strategic Leap Toward Scalable Drone Traffic Management
The SAFIR-Ready (Safe and Flexible Integration of Advanced U-Space Services for Rotorcraft) project was launched as part of the EUREKA Network Projects and co-funded by SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU), with support from Belgium’s VLAIO innovation agency. The initiative focused on validating advanced U-space capabilities—Europe’s framework for unmanned air traffic management (UTM)—to support safe Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations in complex environments.
Key objectives included:
- Demonstrating interoperability between multiple U-space service providers (USSPs)
- Validating real-world integration with manned aviation systems
- Enabling dynamic airspace reconfiguration based on mission needs
- Ensuring compliance with EASA Common Information Services (CIS) architecture
The project involved over 30 partners from industry and government—including SkeyDrone (Belgium’s ANSP subsidiary), NSX (Netherlands), ENAV (Italy), Droniq (Germany), and several drone operators—conducting live trials in urban and peri-urban areas across Belgium.
Unifly’s Role as Core USSP Platform Provider
Unifly served as one of the primary USSP platforms during the trials. Its cloud-based system enables real-time situational awareness for drone operators and authorities alike. The platform integrates geofencing data, flight authorizations, telemetry feeds, and deconfliction logic to ensure safe operation in shared airspace.
The company’s software was tested in scenarios involving:
- Simultaneous BVLOS flights by multiple operators
- Dynamic no-fly zone creation based on emergency events
- Tactical conflict resolution between crewed and uncrewed aircraft
- Integration with manned aviation via CIS gateways
This aligns with Unifly’s broader mission to provide scalable digital infrastructure for national-level drone traffic management. Already operational in countries like Germany (via DFS/Droniq) and Norway (Avinor), Unifly is positioning itself as a leading USSP vendor amid growing regulatory pressure to implement EU-wide U-space corridors by mid-decade.
EASA Frameworks Drive Urgency for Deployment
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has mandated that all EU member states implement basic U-space services—including electronic identification, geo-awareness, flight authorization—by January 2023 under Regulation EU2019/947. More advanced services such as strategic deconfliction and dynamic airspace management are expected to follow under Regulation EU2021/664.
This regulatory timeline has catalyzed investment in interoperable platforms like Unifly’s. By demonstrating real-world viability through projects like SAFIR-Ready, stakeholders aim to accelerate certification pathways for both USSPs and Common Information Service Providers (CISPs).
Operational Trials Highlight Realistic Use Cases
The SAFIR-Ready trials were not limited to technical validation—they also explored commercial use cases that could benefit from integrated drone operations:
- Medical deliveries: transporting blood samples between hospitals using BVLOS drones in Antwerp
- Critical infrastructure inspection: power line monitoring near populated areas with automated flight plans
- Aerial surveillance: supporting law enforcement with real-time video feeds over urban zones while avoiding helicopter routes
- Crisis response: enabling emergency corridor activation during simulated flood scenarios using dynamic airspace tools
The trials validated how multiple USSPs can coordinate safely within a single operational volume using shared CIS data streams—a key requirement under future pan-European frameworks.
A Step Toward Federated European UTM Architecture
The conclusion of SAFIR-Ready marks tangible progress toward a federated model where multiple certified USSPs operate within harmonized national frameworks. Unlike centralized models such as LAANC in the United States or China’s state-run UTMs, Europe is pursuing a market-driven approach where competition among USSPs is balanced by strict interoperability standards set by EASA.
This approach aims to foster innovation while ensuring safety at scale—a critical factor as commercial drone fleets grow across logistics, agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, and public safety sectors.
Next Steps for Terra Drone Group and European Stakeholders
The successful completion of SAFIR-Ready strengthens Terra Drone Corporation’s strategy to expand its footprint in European drone infrastructure markets via Unifly. With upcoming programs like CORUS-XUAM focusing on Urban Air Mobility integration—and additional funding rounds expected through Horizon Europe—the momentum behind scalable U-space deployment is accelerating.
EASA is expected to publish further guidance on certification pathways for USSPs/CISPs by late Q4 FY2025. Meanwhile, national regulators are preparing tenders for permanent U-space deployments starting in early FY2026.
