U-space refers to a digitalised and automated traffic management system for unmanned aviation. Traffic management is needed to ensure the safety of operations when drone traffic needs to be integrated with traditional aviation or when there are a large number of drone operations taking place in an area at the same time, for example.
U-space is a harmonised European Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM) system that can be used to manage dense drone traffic or airspace that has drones and traditional aircraft operating in it at the same time, for example. The European Union’s U-space regulation (EU) 2021/664 became applicable on 26 January 2023, which also resulted in the amendment of Finland’s Aviation Act.
The use of U-space requires the designation of a U-space airspace and the provision of U-Space services. In addition to this, so-called common information services (CIS) must be provided for each U-space airspace.
U-space airspace and services
A U-space airspace is a type of UAS geographical zone that can be established based on an application for safety, security, privacy or environmental reasons. U-space airspaces are established by Traficom, which carries out the necessary airspace risk assessment and coordinates the possible impacts of the airspace with other stakeholders.
Each U-space airspace must have at least one U-space service provider (USSP), which must provide at least four mandatory services to drone operators: a network identification service, a geo-awareness service, a UAS flight authorisation service and a traffic information service. Other optional services include a weather information service and a conformance monitoring service. Each U-space service provider must comply with the requirements of the U-space regulation and apply for a U-space service provider certificate from Traficom before they can start providing U-space services.
Common information services
Common information services (CIS) provide access to data relevant to the operation of U-space, such as the horizontal and vertical limits of the airspace, any adjacent or otherwise relevant airspace structures, U-space services and service providers. CIS can only be provided by parties certified or authorised by Traficom.
More detailed descriptions of the services related to U-space are provided below.
U-space in Finland
There are currently no established U-space airspaces in Finland or the rest of Europe. The EU’s U-space regulation sets the terms and conditions that must be followed in the establishment of U-space airspaces, but does not require Member States to actually establish any U-space airspaces. U-space airspaces should only be established for especially compelling reasons, as they impose requirements for drone operators and in some cases for traditional aircraft as well. Flying a drone in a U-space airspace requires the drone operator to use the mandatory U-space services, in addition to which U-space airspaces also impose certain requirements on hardware (drones).
When it comes to drones, only drones in the open category (A1) that weigh under 250 g, model aircraft clubs certified by Traficom (Article 16) and state UAS operations are excluded from the scope of application of the U-space regulation. Traditional aircraft must be electronically conspicuous in order to fly in a U-space airspace established in uncontrolled airspace. This requirement is laid down in the Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA) (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 923/2012, Section SERA.6005 c) (External link).
Application
If you wish to apply for the establishment of a U-space airspace or a USSP/CIS certificate, please contact the UAS team: rpas@traficom.fi.