Since the beginning of 2026, Hamburg Aviation has been leading the Urban Air Mobility Cities Community Initiative (UIC2). UIC2 is a network of more than 30 European cities and regions, initiated by the European Commission in 2017/2018, and is part of the European Commission’s Smart Cities Marketplace. For Germany, among others, five model cities and regions are involved, collaborating within the framework of the national UAM initiative. The international network serves as a platform for the development and testing of Innovative Air Mobility (IAM), and it represents the interests of cities towards regulators, industry and EU institutions.
In October 2026, the UIC2 community gathered in Dublin for the first General Assembly since Hamburg Aviation has been leading the network. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the future of UAM in European cities. The General Assembly was hosted by the Dublin City Council. In the heart of Dublin, representatives from cities, regulators, industry and European institutions met to discuss current developments in the field of Innovative Air Mobility.
Developments in the evolving landscape of Innovative Air Mobility
On the first day, the focus was on the current political, regulatory and operational developments shaping the future of drone operations in European cities. The presentations from the various organisations offered insights into current developments and encouraged exchange among the participants. To open, the Joint European Drone Association (JEDA) provided insights into the European drone landscape and the industry perspective. The Dublin City Council presented its ongoing drone activities, priorities and experiences, and highlighted opportunities for collaboration between European cities. The European Commission outlined its current priorities, policy developments and funding opportunities that are relevant to the IAM sector. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) informed participants about current developments and priorities in the area of Innovative Air Mobility, and introduced the IAM Hub initiative. Future Mobility Campus Ireland reported on the experience gained from the ÉALÚ-AER project and the implementation of U-Space. The Irish Aviation Authority presented the Living Labs initiative and discussed opportunities for testing and demonstrating innovative drone and air mobility solutions.
Shaping the future of UIC2 together
The second day was devoted to collaboration among the UIC2 cities. In an internal workshop, participants discussed goals, governance structure, expert support, expected outcomes, communication activities and the role of member cities. In subsequent discussions, participants addressed the key challenges, opportunities and priorities for the further development of Innovative Air Mobility in European cities. The focus was on the exchange of best practices and practical experience, as well as fostering collaboration between cities and stakeholders, to support the safe and scalable deployment of IAM solutions across Europe.
Outlook
The discussions in Dublin have shown how important it is for cities, regulators and industry to work together to turn the potential of Innovative Air Mobility into concrete solutions that people across Europe can tangibly benefit from.
Cities and regions that are not yet members of UIC2 and would like to actively get involved in the network can contact Denise at Hamburg Aviation directly (Denise.Braemer@hamburg-aviation.com), or via the registration link here.