U-SPACE SERVICE PROVISION IN EUROPE, SWITZERLAND AND DUBAI

Introduction

Introduction As of today, the number of certified U-space Service Providers (“USSPs”) in Europe remains very limited. Italy’s d-flight and ANRA Technologies (certified by EASA in 2023) represent two leading examples in the European Union. This scarcity of certified USSPs reflects the complexity of the regulatory framework and the demanding certification process, which requires both technical and organizational maturity.

The European regulatory framework aims not only to secure operations of unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS”) but also should stimulate the emergence of a competitive service market.

At the same time, European-certified providers are also expanding internationally. Notably, ANRA Technologies has been awarded a contract to deliver a scalable and innovative national UAS Traffic Management (“UTM”) system for Dubai, confirming how expertise developed under the EU regulatory framework can serve as a benchmark for global UTM deployment. This development underscores the growing extraterritorial relevance of EU-certified providers, reinforcing their position as international leaders in unmanned traffic management.

Mandatory U-Space Services and State Discretion

Pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2021/664 (“U-Space Regulation” or “USR”), all USSPs must, at a minimum, provide the following four core services:

Network Identification Service: enabling continuous remote identification and localization of UAS and their operators.
Geo-awareness Service: informing operators of airspace restrictions and UAS geographical zones.
UAS Flight Authorization Service:ensuring deconfliction in the 4D trajectory and granting authorizations per flight.
Traffic Information Service: providing data on manned and unmanned traffic in proximity.

In addition, USR allows Member States to require supplementary services (e.g., weather information, conformance monitoring).

As per Switzerland, the Federal Office of Civil Aviation ‘s Directive (“Swiss FOCA Directive”) confirms this discretion, noting that additional services such as weather information or compliance monitoring may be mandated based on a risk assessment.

The Certification Procedure

The certification of USSPs requires applicants to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements, including safety, security, financial robustness, and continuity of services. The Swiss FOCA Directive describes as follows:

Stage 1: FOCA (or the competent EU authority) assesses documentation (compliance matrix, CONOPS, safety and security risk assessments, business plan, financial viability, and insurance). A desktop review is followed by an on-site audit.
Stage 2: Once certified, the USSP must demonstrate interoperability with other actors (ANSPs, CISPs, other USSPs) and pass technical tests before entering into operations. Only then FOCA may grant authorization to access the production environment.

Certificates have unlimited validity but may be suspended, limited, or revoked if operational or financial requirements are no longer met.

Flight Authorization Process in the U-Space

The flight authorization process within U-Space will require UAS operators to submit detailed data, including but not limited to UAS serial number, operational mode, category, 4D trajectory, identification technology, connectivity methods, endurance, operator registration, and most importantly emergency procedures in case of loss of command and control (so-called “C2 link”).

Upon granting an authorization, the USSP communicates deviation thresholds: operators must remain within these margins. If deviations exceed permitted thresholds, the operator must immediately request a new authorization.

Moreover, operators are obliged toforesee and communicate contingency measures, covering at least: loss of C2 link; emergency landing procedures; and recovery actions for non-conformance.

Comparative Perspective: Swiss Systemic Oversight

The Swiss FOCA Directive provides a pragmatic implementation of the EU framework, in fact FOCA is the sole competent authority in Switzerland, responsible for certification, continuous oversight, and enforcement. Even USSPs certified in other EU Member States must undergo FOCA onboarding to ensure interoperability and compliance with Swiss-specific requirements. Finally, FOCA applies a risk-based oversight model, including audits, monitoring operational and financial performance, and enforcement actions when necessary.

This contrasts with some EU States, where implementation of systemic oversight remains fragmented or delayed. The Swiss model offers a higher degree of procedural transparency, including defined fees, unlimited certificate validity subject to compliance, and a structured interface with ANSPs and CISPs.

Conclusion

The European U-space framework is still at an early stage of implementation, with only a handful of USSPs certified to date. The regulatory requirements, encompassing digital services, certification hurdles, contingency obligations, and systemic oversight, ensure high safety and security standards but also create entry barriers.

Switzerland’s FOCA Directive illustrates how national authorities can translate EU rules into operational procedures, offering an example of structured certification and oversight that may serve as a reference for other Member States.

Ultimately, the success of U-space depends on balancing strict regulatory safeguards with incentives for industry actors to invest in scalable and interoperable services.

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