Implementing Urban Air Mobility in a Multi-Level Regulatory Framework: Perspectives from the EU

The paper discusses the challenges arising from the extended use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) within urban contexts targeting people and freight mobility purposes. First of all, drivers and barriers are examined from the operational and planner’s perspective, considering Urban Air Mobility (UAM) as part of the future transportation ecosystem. After a brief overview of the relevant European Union (EU) regulatory framework, issues concerning access to ground infrastructure and U-space governance are examined, with a focus on Article 18(f) Regulation (EU) 2021/664 and recent European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) guidance on this provision (AMC-GM). A uniform EU regime on UAM, as part of a strategy encompassing Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) as a whole, should be implemented with a certain degree of flexibility in order to adapt it to the peculiarities of each area, especially as far as access to airspace and ground infrastructure (vertiports, etc.) is concerned. For this reason, the role of local authorities remains crucial.