The AIRlabs Future Conference has already established itself as a pioneering platform for innovations in the field of unmanned aviation. Under this year’s motto ‘Linking Europe’, the event focussed on the latest developments in drone mobility. The conference brought together experts from many countries in Europe and beyond, including prominent figures from the Netherlands, Sweden, China and Austria, to share international innovations in drone mobility, new insights and examples of applications for safe airspace. 

At the impressive Airport City/Vienna Airport venue, we witnessed a wide range of advances in seamless drone mobility. ‘Linking Europe’ focussed on ground-breaking innovations in drone mobility. 

The opening already started with a bang, as the host, Flughafen Wien AG and AIRlabs announced the ratification of their strategic partnership! 

• Keynote 1: Wilbert Ritsema from the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management introduced us to a first U-Space example in the area of the port of Rotterdam and explained further requirements for the introduction and roll-out of U-Space in Europe.
• Gernot Paulus from the Carinthia University of Applied Sciences presented ‘DronePilot’, a holistic educational framework for developing the next generation of UAS experts in Austria and beyond. 
• Holger Friehmelt from FH JOANNEUM moderated a dynamic panel discussion on U-Space and international, cross-border drone flights, to which Raphael Höfer from SCWP gave a short introductory keynote speech. 
• The volunteer fire brigade of Graz University of Technology and FH JOANNEUM presented a real première with a live demonstration of a new training course for emergency response service drone pilots, which can now also be accessed via the AIRlabs infrastructures.
• Keynote 2: Anne Sörensson (Östersunds kommun) shared insights from the ‘Green Flyway’ project in Sweden and Norway and offered insights into sustainable drone practices. 
• Keynote 3: Tingting He from DJI shed light on EU directives on U-Space and provided insights into the regulatory landscape of the industry. 
• Ingrid Kernstock (BMK) presented the focal points of the current ‘TAKE OFF’ call for proposals and presented strategic perspectives from the BMK regarding further funding programmes that can be addressed from a technical perspective. 
• Holger Friehmelt (FH JOANNEUM) and Tom Bruchmann (AIRlabs) gave a comprehensive overview of the functions and latest achievements of AIRlabs from A to Z. 
• The presentation of drone monitoring of photovoltaics at the airport by Stefan Urbanek, including a tour of VIENNA Airport, was a particular highlight. 
• Christoph Brunner from AIRlabs presented the current status and planned activities in the field of ‘Sense and Avoid’ technology. 
• Thomas Eichtinger from Vienna Airport provided insights into the current situation of new eVTOLs at European airports. 

The conference not only promoted innovation, but also international cooperation and discussions at the highest level among the seven nations represented.  

A big thank you to all speakers, participants and especially the representatives from ministries and authorities who made the AIRlabs Future Conference 2023 an outstanding success!