From Demonstration to Integration: Drone Operations in Italy and the Milano Malpensa Airport Case Study

Two sections offering a comprehensive look at Italy’s approach to drone operations and their integration into airport environments.

In the first part, Giovanni Riccardi (ENAV) will provide an overview of u-space as enabler for drone operations within some specific use cases and initiatives of  drone cargo operations in Italy. Then  he will present the U-ELCOME project and the Italian cluster, providing an overview of drone demonstration activities across Italy. He will highlight key technical aspects, stakeholder collaborations, and lessons learned from recent trials, illustrating how these efforts are shaping the national roadmap for U-space implementation.

In the second part, Cristina Covelli (SEA Milan Airports) will focus on the Milano Malpensa Airport use case, specifically addressing the integration of drones within cargo operations. She will introduce the Milan sandbox, outline the various demonstration phases, and discuss future perspectives for the deployment of U-space solutions in airport logistics.

The session aims to deliver practical insights into the regulatory, operational, and technological challenges and opportunities associated with advancing drone integration into operative use cases in the future.