EASA, the European Aviation Safety Agency, has launched the fourth version of its digital space for exchanging information on drones and electric aircraft, the Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) Hub.
This new version focuses on updated EU statistics, population density and land-use data, UAS geographic zones defined by EASA member states, as well as a revised version of the drone database in preparation for the upcoming eSORA functionality.
The provision of EU-wide population density data was the top priority identified by stakeholders at the EASA IAM Implementation Forum in October 2024.
The IAM was launched in December 2023 and enables connection between cities, regions, national authorities, UAS operators, and manufacturers involved in the introduction of these air taxi and drone services. This way, they can share and exchange reliable information and data.
This fourth version is part of Phase 2 of the overall program and contains the following new features:
- There are currently more than two million registered drone operators in Europe. The latest economic data on the drone sector is available on the IAM Hub's Drone Economy Dashboard.
https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/drones-air-mobility/operating-drone/drone-operations-easa-member-states
- The secure portion of the EASA database on drones approved for operations in the EU has been updated to include all the information needed to run the IAM Hub's eSORA application. eSORA is currently being tested with EASA Member States (MS) and the IAM Hub Working Group to facilitate and harmonize operational approvals across EASA MS. More information about SORA is available on the Specific Operations Risk Assessment webpage.
https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/drones-air-mobility/operating-drone/drone-operations-easa-member-states
- Thanks to the collaboration with Copernicus and the Joint Research Centre (JRC), the IAM Hub now includes population density data as well as land-use data for review by EASA Member States.
https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/drones-air-mobility/operating-drone/drone-operations-easa-member-states
- As a trial, the IAM Hub hosts information on geographic areas in Denmark that complies with the ED-318 standard, developed by EUROCAE to define the single digital format for UAS geographic areas.
- In addition, new content has been added to the EASA Drones and Air Mobility public website on "Introduction," "Flying a Drone for Fun," and "Flying a Drone for Work."
The HUB thus becomes a forum for exchange for key players in the drone or UAS sector from EASA member countries, enabling sustainable and safe development based on regulations that develop in parallel with new needs from operators and manufacturers that may arise.
This initiative is funded by the European Commission and the European Parliament and is Flagship Action No. 7 of the European Commission's Drone Strategy 2.0, which aims to boost an innovative and sustainable drone market in the European Union. The current Phase 2 ends in September 2026.
You can consult it at the following link:
https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/domains/drones-air-mobility/operating-drone/drone-operations-easa-member-states
