Successful drone flight carrying medical supplies between two Madrid hospitals under the European U-ELCOME project

Madrid’s Carlos III and La Paz hospitals have witnessed a demonstration of medical supply transport by drone between the two centres. As part of the European U-ELCOME project, coordinated by EUROCONTROL and led in Spain by ENAIRE, today’s trial was carried out using U-Space technology to manage drone operations in the airspace. The operation was particularly noteworthy for taking place in an urban environment with complex airspace, given its proximity to Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport as well as the presence of urban heliports nearby. 

The demonstration involved a drone flight in the city of Madrid between Hospital Carlos III and Hospital de La Paz, transporting medical supplies through urban airspace managed as U-Space 

The pilots, from Bluenest by Globalvia, used U-Space services to monitor the position of their drone and any other nearby drones at all times, as well as to follow a defined flight plan with alerts to warn them if the drone strayed from its designated route, among other functions. 

These U-Space services were provided by the technology centre ITG through its USSP platform, Daliah®. ENAIRE, acting as the Common Information Service Provider (CISP), played a key role by supplying the airspace information necessary for ITG to deliver its U-Space services. 

Details of the operation 

The distance between the two hospitals is 1.5 km by road, and around 900 m in a straight line. The flight lasted approximately three minutes and required an operational authorisation from the Spanish Aviation Safety Agency (AESA), a specific operational study, and a risk analysis. Among the safety measures used on the drone were a parachute, an automatic flight termination system, and a containment system in case any unforeseen events occurred. 

The drone, a DJI Matrice 350 RTK (C3), took off from the rooftop of a building within the Carlos III hospital complex. Its route passed mainly over landscaped areas, some hospital buildings, and over roads, which were temporarily closed to traffic during the flight, before finally landing on the rooftop of La Paz Hospital. 

Given the complexity of this operation, conducted at a height of 30 m, two pilots from Bluenest by Globalvia were involved. Both were specifically certified for this operation and remained coordinated throughout the flight, taking control of the aircraft at different points along the route. The first pilot commenced the flight from Carlos III Hospital, handing over control to the second pilot at the landing point at La Paz Hospital, in a procedure known as a “handover”, who then completed the manoeuvre until the end of the flight. 

To minimise potential air risks, both pilots had access to aviation-band radios (in case coordination with any manned aircraft was necessary), and the operation included a Visual Observer (VO) responsible for alerting the pilots to any possible aerial hazards. 

This exercise in Madrid, held as part of European Mobility Week, demonstrates the feasibility of transporting medical supplies by drone in an urban environment. Additionally, conducting this urban flight along a corridor between hospitals, using U-Space digital technology, helps reduce risks both in the air and on the ground. 

[From left to right, Enrique Maurer (ENAIRE), Benito Núñez (Ministry) and José María García (Community of Madrid)].

What is U-space? 

As part of the European Digital Sky initiative, the European Union has developed the concept of U-space as a set of digital services and specific procedures designed to enable the safe, efficient and automated management of drones, especially in areas with high air traffic density or near airports. 

In this context, ENAIRE has been designated the Sole Common Information Services Provider (CISP) in Spain. This role makes ENAIRE the bridge between traditional air navigation services and new digital drone operators. Through its U-space platform, ENAIRE facilitates the exchange of essential data, ensuring smooth and safe coordination of airspace in areas where U-space is applied. 

"This flight marks a milestone in drone operations in the Community of Madrid, demonstrating that these aircraft can bring benefits to society in areas such as sustainable urban mobility or emergency healthcare response”, said Rodrigo Benedit Pascual, a specialist in ENAIRE’s Drone Business Development Department and technical coordinator of the U-ELCOME project in Spain, who added that “U-space services play a key role in this type of operation, making it possible to carry them out safely and without interfering with other airspace users". 

[Family photo of Benito Núñez (Ministry) and José María García (Community of Madrid)].

About the U-ELCOME Project 

The U-ELCOME project (U-space European COMmon dEpLoyment) is a European initiative, technically managed by SESAR Joint Undertaking and funded by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Agency, aimed at promoting the safe and efficient integration of drones into airspace through the deployment of U-space services. It is coordinated by EUROCONTROL and involves 51 partners across Europe, with U-space flight service demonstrations at 15 locations in Spain, Italy and France. 

In Spain, activities are taking place in eight autonomous communities: Andalusia, Aragon, Canary Islands, Catalonia, Valencian Community, Galicia, Madrid and Navarre. The project seeks to encourage the adoption of basic U1 and U2 services, facilitating the safe integration of drones into European airspace. 

This project has received funding from the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) under grant agreement No 101079171. 

About ENAIRE 

ENAIRE is the air navigation service provider in Spain. 

As a company of the Ministry of Sustainable Transport and Mobility, it provides air traffic control services during the en route and approach phases of all flights to and from Spain and overflights. In addition, it manages communications, navigation and surveillance services from ENAIRE in the airspace and the entire AENA airport network in Spain and provides aerodrome air traffic control services in 21 airports, including the busiest. 

ENAIRE is the fourth largest European air navigation service provider, and it is a member of international partnerships A6 Alliance, SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) Joint Undertaking, SESAR Deployment Manager, iTEC, CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation) and collaborates closely with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization). 

ENAIRE has received the highest score in Europe on the aviation safety key performance indicator for four years in a row. It has also been awarded the EFQM 600 Seal for its safe, efficient, innovative and sustainable management of air navigation services. 

About Bluenest by Globalvia 

Bluenest is Globalvia’s innovation business line for advanced air mobility and vertiport network management. Its aim is to become a key player in this new infrastructure for air logistics, passenger transport, automated UAS services, and other applications offered by eVTOLs. Putting citizens at the centre, Bluenest by Globalvia designs and operates vertiports that will connect the new aerial routes with ground mobility, ensuring safe, fast, and efficient operations for all participants in this emerging ecosystem. 

For more information, visit www.bluenest.io. 

About ITG 

ITG (A Coruña, 1991) is an officially recognised National Technology Centre specialised in providing R&D and unique technology to enhance the competitive capacity of companies and organisations. Its solutions are developed in the fields of Industry 4.0, smart energy management, water digitisation, and unmanned aerial 

mobility. ITG is aCervera research excellence centre in AI and quantum computing;one ofthe five certifying bodies worldwide for the international BREEAM®sustainable construction standard; and the firstofficial partner inSpain oftheinternational WELL™standard for buildinghealth. Since 2010, ithasbeen part ofthe governing boardofthe Spanish Federationof Technological Centres (FEDIT), andits General Directorserved as presidentof the 47 member technologycentres from2015 to 2022. www.itg.es