Unifly UTM Technology Supports Medical Drone Deliveries in Belgium Through BURDI Project
Real-world U-space implementation enables safe BVLOS operations between hospitals in the Kempen region
Antwerp, Belgium — 7 August 2025 — Unifly, a global leader in UAS Traffic Management (UTM) technology and part of the Terra Drone Group, announces that its UTM platform enabled the delivery of real-time U-space services for medical drone delivery trials in Belgium, operated by Skyports Drone Services.
The initiative, supported by the BURDI (Belgium/Netherlands U-space Reference Design Implementation) project, marks one of the first operational demonstrations of cross-border U-space implementation for emergency healthcare logistics in Europe.
Supporting Safe and Compliant Medical Drone Flights
Launched on 1 August, the trial involves Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone flights between the hospital campuses of AZ Turnhout in the Kempen region. The aircraft are remotely piloted from the United Kingdom and carry time-sensitive medical cargo, including pathology samples and medications.
The Kempen region, a semi-rural area in northern Belgium, faces challenges such as long distances between healthcare facilities and limited flexibility in ground transportation. Drones offer a faster and more efficient alternative for urgent medical logistics, enabling hospitals to reduce delivery times, improve coordination of care, and support the delivery of personalised treatments such as chemotherapy. This demonstration highlights how safe U-space integration can unlock impactful real-world healthcare services.
Unifly provides the UTM platform used to deliver core U-space services, supporting safe and compliant airspace accessin alignment with European U-space Regulation. These services are delivered through SkeyDrone, Belgium’s designated U-space Service Provider (USSP).
European Collaboration at Work
Unifly and SkeyDrone are both partners in the BURDI project, which is co-funded by the European Union and the SESAR Joint Undertaking. BURDI aims to validate scalable, cross-border U-space architectures under real-world conditions.
Unifly’s platform enabled:
- Digital flight planning and automated authorisations
- Real-time airspace and traffic monitoring
- Tactical deconfliction and conformance monitoring
- Integration with cross-border regulatory authorities.
These capabilities supported the regulatory approvals required for conducting remote drone operations across jurisdictions, a significant milestone in the evolution of European drone integration.
Delivering Medical Innovation by Air
The trial is led by Skyports Drone Services and made possible with the support of BURDI and healthcare partners including AZ Turnhout and A-kwadraat.
“This project is a clear example of how drone technology can bring real value to society. By safely connecting hospitals through the air, we’re opening the door to faster, more responsive healthcare. I’m proud that Unifly’s UTM technology plays a role in making this future a reality.”
By reducing ground transport times from 30 minutes to under 13 minutes, the operation demonstrates the potential of drones to accelerate access to critical care, particularly for personalised therapies.
About BURDI PROJECT
The Belgium/Netherlands U-space Reference Design Implementation (BURDI) project supports the safe and sustainable integration of multiple drone operations, including BVLOS, within shared airspace alongside traditional manned aviation. It is co-funded by the European Union and SESAR Joint Undertaking.
Key technical partners include SkeyDrone, the designated USSP, and Unifly, which provides the UTM system that enables compliant and efficient drone operations.
About Unifly
Unifly is a technology company rooted in aviation, which envisions to enable autonomous aviation by driving the technology to advance the safety and efficiency of autonomous aviation. The Unifly platform serves as a vital link between authorities, drone pilots, and various stakeholders, facilitating the safe integration of next-generation aircraft into the airspace. By digitising and automating Traffic Management, and by integrating with drones and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), the platform is addressing the exponential growth in air traffic generated in the upcoming decades.
For more information, please contact us at press@unifly.aero.
