VERTI-GO addresses the safe integration of innovative air mobility (IAM) into current air traffic management (ATM) and U-space operations, enabling flexible, scalable, and efficient urban air transport. It will develop, validate, and deliver critical enablers across four areas: (a) extension of core ATM components to support IAM operations, including flight planning and vertiport reservation management; (b) demonstration of initial IAM operations via visual flight rules (VFR) flights with Europe’s only crewed electric vertical take-off and landing (E-VTOL) aircraft in Spain and uncrewed IAM flights under SAIL IV in Germany; (c) procedures for operating in complex environments, including controlled ATM and U-space; and (d) advanced automation supporting ATM/U-space services for crewed and uncrewed aircraft. 

Two solutions target different readiness levels: 

Solution 1 – Integration of crewed IAM operations under VFR into European airspace

Solution 1 focuses on the near-term introduction of crewed VCA operations flying under Visual Flight Rules (VFR). Starting from an initial Technology Readiness Level of TRL 4, the objective is to develop and validate procedures, flight planning services and vertiport management concepts that can support safe operations in today’s aviation environment. The solution includes real-world demonstrations using the Vertical demonstration aircraft and aims to reach Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7, demonstrating that the proposed concepts are viable in an operational environment.

Solution 2 – Setting up ATM and U-space eco-system for IAM operations under IFR

Solution 2 addresses the longer-term evolution of Innovative Air Mobility by exploring how future crewed and uncrewed aircraft can operate under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) and within more complex airspace environments. Starting from an initial Technology Readiness Level of TRL 3, the overall solution aims to reach TRL 4. The work focuses on advanced flight planning, automation, integration with U-space services and the development of concepts that support scalable IAM operations. The solution also includes demonstrations involving uncrewed cargo aircraft and aims to provide the foundations for future commercial IAM services across Europe.