Estonian drone ecosystem takes first steps towards implementation of U-space

• Estonian Air Navigation Services (EANS) and Frequentis will launch new drone platform, enabling users to reduce manual tasks such as pre-flight authorization.

• Frequentis platform to further support Nordics and Baltics in implementation of U-space framework for drone services market.

EANS has been working with Frequentis to create an environment where drones and civil aviation can coexist in the shared airspace. The drone market is already growing rapidly and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are used for everyday activities. This requires user-systems for both manned and unmanned traffic and all this with flight safety in mind.

“One of our strategic goals is to develop a U-space framework and to support the state activities on advancing the unmanned aviation sector in Estonia. EANS will take the role as a single Common Information Services (CIS) provider in Estonia, which offers a secure open protocol for data exchange between all stakeholders, enabling a competitive, innovative, and open market for U-space service provision,” says Teve Rahula, EANS Head of Business Development.

“This will enable the drone services to thrive as we are able to increase efficient and safe access to airspace. For this reason, EANS is collaborating with Frequentis to realise the implementation of U-space in Estonia to advance the emerging uncrewed traffic management (UTM) ecosystem.”

The cloud-based UTM system is provided as a managed service in the Frequentis cloud environment, allowing validation of use cases and business cases. The cloud architecture also enables a fully optimised deployment process, without the need for on-site activities. The UTM system complies with the requirements of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664 (draft) on a regulatory framework for the U-space.

“The Frequentis CIS platform allows the integration of all airspace users on one single platform, providing a single source of truth and real-time situational awareness for air traffic controllers, drone operators and service providers. This integration allows both crewed flights and drones to safely share the same airspace, to see airspace restrictions and flight rules, file flight plans, and receive updates from air traffic controllers in real time. This is what is needed for the safe integration of drones into the aviation ecosystem,” says Guenter Graf, Frequentis Vice President New Business Development.

Frequentis has been working together with EANS and other stakeholders in the Nordics & Baltics region on the SESAR JU GOF (Gulf of Finland) and GOF 2.0 projects, exploring the safe integration of drones in the Gulf of Finland, trailing and validating use cases in line with U-space regulatory framework.

About EANS

Estonian Air Navigation Services (EANS, Lennuliiklusteeninduse Aktsiaselts) is a next generation air navigation services provider, headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia. We provide safe and efficient air navigation services together with air traffic management consultation and training services. Together with our almost 200 employees we are designing innovative and sustainable integrated airspace, via dynamic cross-border FINEST collaboration with our neighbours in Finland. We are one of the drivers of the safe airspace integration of unmanned aerial vehicles within the Single European Sky Initiative Gulf of Finland (GOF) 2.0 and developing unified air traffic management in Estonia. EANS is a state-owned public limited company under the jurisdiction Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication of Republic of Estonia.

For more information:
Hedwig Meidra, Head of Communications, Estonian Air Navigation Services, 
Hedwig.meidra [at] eans.ee +372 5059 104

About FREQUENTIS

Frequentis is a global supplier of communication and information systems for control centres with safety-critical tasks. The listed family company develops and markets its “control centre solutions” in the Air Traffic Management segment (civil and military air traffic control, air defence) and the Public Safety & Transport segment (police, fire brigades, emergency rescue services, coastguards, port authorities, railways). With a market share of 30%, Frequentis is the world market leader in voice communication systems for air traffic control. Frequentis is also the global leader in aeronautical information management and aeronautical message handling systems. As a global player with around 2,000 employees (full-time equivalents/FTE), Frequentis has a global network of companies in more than 50 countries. Its head office is in Vienna, Austria. Frequentis’ products, services, and solutions are used at more than 40,000 operator working positions in around 150 countries. Shares in Frequentis are traded on the Vienna and Frankfurt stock exchanges; ISIN: ATFREQUENT09, WKN: A2PHG5. In 2021, revenues were EUR 333.5 million and EBIT EUR 29.0 million. Wherever Frequentis’ systems are used, safety-critical operators bear responsibility for the safety of other people and goods. The company also works towards a more sustainable future through its air traffic optimisation solutions. 

For more information, please visit www.frequentis.com. 
Jennifer McLellan, Global Media Relations Manager, Frequentis, jennifer.mclellan [at] frequentis.com, +44 2030 050 188
Barbara Fuerchtegott, Head of Communications/Company Spokesperson, Frequentis barbara.fuerchtegott [at] frequentis.com, +43 1 81150-4631
Stefan Marin, Head of Investor Relations stefan.marin [at] frequentis.com, +43 1 81150-1074