On 23 January 23, the Port of Valencia hosted a U-space demonstration event as part of the U-ELCOME Digital Sky Demonstrator, co-funded by CINEA within the SESAR JU Digital European Sky programme. Organised by the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) in collaboration with the Valencia Port Authority, the event involved customs surveillance, the Valencia local police, the fire department, and drone sector companies such as UAV Works and PrimeCor Systems. Representatives from ENAIRE, the Valenciaport Foundation, APM Terminals, and other national entities also attended.

The tests simulated an emergency scenario within the port, showcasing how U-space services can support anchorage zone surveillance, topographic surveys, emergency logistics, and law enforcement operations. Drone flights were coordinated through U-space service providers (USSPs) from ENAIRE, DALIAH, and DronAS, alongside the national Common Information Service Provider (CISP) managed by ENAIRE. Operations were centralized in an advanced command post (PMA), demonstrating the ability to manage UAS activities in complex environments.

As part of broader U-space implementation efforts, these validation tests are critical for integrating drones into European airspace. They provide insights into how U-space services can support emergency response, optimise port operations, and ensure safe interaction between drones and other airspace users. The U-ELCOME project, which is conducting similar demonstrations in 15 locations across Spain, Italy, and France, plays a key role in developing scalable U1-U2 services for drone operations in Europe.

Looking ahead, an Open Day in Benidorm in February will test new U-space capabilities in an urban setting, focusing on integrating high-capacity drone models for more advanced operational scenarios.