On Thursday, March 27, 2025, Innov’ATM became the first operator in France and the first private company in Europe to obtain the USSP (U-space Service Provider) certification, issued by the French Civil Aviation Safety Directorate (DSAC). A major step forward for the future of air mobility.
U-Space Service Providers, also known as USSP, is a service provider specializing in the management of drone traffic in so-called ‘U-space’ airspace.
This concept, developed in Europe under the leadership of EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency), aims to integrate drones into airspace safely and efficiently.
U-space is a regulatory and technological framework designed to ensure harmonised and automated management of drones in low-altitude airspace, as a complement to traditional air traffic management (ATM) services.
To operate as a USSP, it is mandatory to obtain certification issued by the DSAC in France, or by the EASA for non-EU countries.
This certification process is governed by strict criteria and a rigorous evaluation procedure that can take several years.
Obtaining this certificate is extremely challenging and tightly regulated, ensuring that only operators with advanced expertise and the necessary infrastructure can provide these services.
The operator’s expertise therefore rests primarily on this certification, which attests to his ability to manage drone traffic safely and in compliance with the regulations in force.
In terms of safety, it is essential to remember that a USSP must be certified by the competent authority. A company cannot claim to be a USSP unless it has been certified by its supervisory authority or the EASA, thereby guaranteeing a reliable and secure operational framework.
USSPs do not operate in isolation : they are integrated into a wider ecosystem comprising several stakeholders:
The regulatory authorities : EASA and national authorities that define the rules and oversee the implementation of the services.
ANSPs (Air Navigation Service Providers) : who coordinate the integration of drones with conventional air traffic.
Drone operators : companies and individuals who use U-space services to carry out their operations safely and in full compliance with regulations.
USSP operators offer a range of services designed to ensure the safety and efficiency of drone operations. There are four mandatory services:
Network identification: Ensures remote identification of drones operating in the airspace.
Geo-awareness: Provides pilots with information on spatial and temporal restrictions, along with access to flight rules.
Flight authorization: Automatically issues approvals for drone operations in specific zones.
Traffic information: Coordinates drone trajectories in real-time to prevent conflicts and streamline air traffic.
In addition to these mandatory services, there are two optional services that USSPs may provide:
Weather information: Offers real-time meteorological data to optimize flight safety.
Conformance monitoring: Verifies that drones comply with navigation rules and entry conditions into U-space.
USSP operators rely on advanced digital infrastructures to automate and interconnect services. Key technologies include :
Real-time communication systems : ensuring the exchange of information between drones, pilots, ANSPs and authorities.
Algorithmic trajectory management : optimizes airspace according to user needs.
Collaborative databases : provide access to crucial information such as weather conditions or flight restrictions.
The emergence of USSPs offers several advantages for the drone industry and airspace management:
Increased safety : reduced risk of collision and improved traffic surveillance.
Operational efficiency : rapid access to flight authorizations and better management of operations.
Facilitating innovation : enabling the development of new uses for drones, such as parcel delivery, infrastructure inspection or environmental monitoring.
In conclusion, USSPs are an essential link in the development of UAVs in airspace. Their growing role will transform low-altitude air operations and open the way to new industrial and commercial applications, such as medical delivery by drone. The evolution of aviation depends in part on this transition to a more automated and interconnected airspace.
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