European cities consider introducing passenger drones to ease congestion and boost tourism.

Last week, we notified you about the top U.S. Cities most conducive for passenger drone operations? What’s the current state of play regarding major hubs for European drone travel?

Simply because the U.S. Europe boasts several exceptional urban hubs – a synergy of infrastructure, terrain, regulatory frameworks, and influences – perfectly primed for cutting-edge aircraft and pioneering drone technologies.

According to Lufthansa Innovation Hub, the leading analysis arm of Germany’s flagship airline, the top destinations for European passenger drone services have been identified. To successfully launch the service, they partnered with V2Air, Roland Berger, and Unisphere.

The term AAM encompasses a vast era spanning multiple aircraft categories, including commercial planes and passenger drones alike?

Passenger drones are poised to offer significant advantages in scenarios where traditional transportation methods are impractical or inefficient, such as navigating congested urban areas with physical barriers like waterways. While some routes might extend beyond urban areas, covering vast distances between cities that are uncomfortably close yet still require a substantial driving time, justifying the unconventional air travel experience.

The Lufthansa Innovation Hub, along with its partners, leveraged data as of June 2024 to analyze 26 major European cities. Based on the key factors crucial for establishing successful European passenger drone operations, from that list the cities were then ranked. These components included:

• Geological terrain, featuring towering structures and natural barriers, often poses greater threats.
• Airspace
• Authority, in conjunction with regional aviation regulations and indigenous efforts fostering technological advancements.
• Climate
• Aviation infrastructure and space influence
• Time saved from using environmentally friendly ground-based automobiles versus public transportation?

Cities had long since been endowed with a robust infrastructure, comprising:

• 25% terrain
• 25% airspace
• 50% authority

Additionally, they acquired a portfolio consisting of:

• 25% climate
• 25% space influence
• 50% time financial savings

Among Europe’s numerous major cities, a few stood out for their promising potential despite struggling with limited practical application.

• Brussels
• Copenhagen
• Dublin
• Frankfurt
• Helsinki
• Istanbul
• Stockholm

Among the major European cities that exhibited excessive viability despite having low feasibility were:

• Barcelona
• Cologne
• London
• Manchester
• Monaco
• Nuremberg
• Rome
• Stuttgart
• Zurich

Meanwhile, Amsterdam, Athens, Lisbon, and Madrid fail to impress significantly on both metrics, suggesting that passenger drones won’t be taking to the skies in these European cities anytime soon.

European passenger drone pioneers are zeroing in on metropolitan hubs with optimal conditions for takeoff. Which urban centers are best suited to host these futuristic flyers?

Cities like Amsterdam, Berlin, and Barcelona possess the perfect blend of open spaces, moderate weather, and existing air traffic management infrastructure. These factors would enable seamless integration into existing airspace and reduce safety concerns.

1. **Amsterdam**: The Netherlands has already seen a trial run with an autonomous drone, so it’s no surprise that Amsterdam tops the list.
2. **Berlin**: Germany is renowned for its engineering prowess; Berlin’s compact layout makes it an ideal testing ground for these flying machines.
3. **Barcelona**: This Spanish metropolis boasts an existing drone-friendly infrastructure, making it a prime location for European passenger drones.

The future of urban transport hangs in the balance as European cities vie to become the go-to destinations for this revolutionary technology.

Cities that scored well in terms of feasibility and viability included Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. Four German cities stand out for their rich history, cultural significance, and vibrant atmosphere: Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and Vienna. The three European cities that are not capitals – Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich – have one thing in common: all three are located in Germany. While often considered alongside others? The city of Vienna lies adjacent to Austria’s borders. 

Frequentis, an unmanned site visitor administration company, has its headquarters in Vienna. They have long been developing communication and data technologies for management facilities requiring safety-critical functions. As the use of drones continues to grow, developing a comprehensive Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Traffic Management (UTM) solution has become a prime objective for Frequentis. The corporation holds a commanding 30% market share in cutting-edge voice communication technologies designed specifically for the efficient management of airside visitors.

Vienna’s unique geography allowed it to boast a particularly propitious aerial landscape. What sets Vienna apart from other cities is its unique combination of having restricted army airspace? Despite their simplicity, the routes are carefully designed to be easily navigated around. Monaco and Vienna scored highly for having clear, well-defined route configurations that facilitate efficient navigation.

In Germany, a significant level of drone adoption has been observed, with substantial progress already made. In 2022, Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national railway company, implemented a new system for monitoring and maintaining its vast network of railway infrastructure. We are collaborating with Pix4D Germany to execute this mission.

Germany is home to Intermap Options, a leading global provider of high-resolution geospatial information.

Several notable entrants vying to revolutionize air travel in Europe include the Volocopter’s VoloCity, a compact eVTOL that could potentially operate autonomously; Joby Aviation’s electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, designed specifically for short-distance flights; Lilium’s two-seater jet-powered eVTOL, capable of achieving speeds of up to 186 mph and offering on-demand air taxi services.

While no city excelled across all feasibility and viability metrics, certain metropolises distinguished themselves by dominating specific categories. The following highlights are notable for their significance.

Amsterdam’s reputation precedes it, with a network of picturesque canals weaving through the city’s charming streets. It’s additionally fairly flat. The Dutch town ranked exceptionally well in terms of terrain suitability. Flat terrain often requires minimal vertical ascents and descents. With reduced vertical motion, aircraft consume less energy, enabling them to execute longer flights or recover quickly without wasting time recharging. The development of additional route options offers expanded possibilities for travelers – and presents new revenue streams for transportation providers.

The City of Light boasts a significant advantage in terms of robust support from its local government. Native authorities’ involvement is crucial, as it can lead to enhanced collaborations, access to alternative funding sources, and support for pioneering projects. 

In the French capital of Paris, a pioneering endeavour called the “Paris-Saclay Autonomous Lab” mission is underway, focused on advancing and validating autonomous aerial transportation innovations within the realm of aerospace. The airfield at Pontoise Cormeilles boasts an expansive testing floor, rivaling its size with that of its peers. And Amazon’s Re:Invent Air Mobility initiative focuses on developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, also exploring drone technology.