EUREKA project pioneers vertiport ecosystem for Europe’s future air mobility

The EUREKA project, led by EUROCONTROL and funded by SESAR JU, is spearheading the development of an integrated vertiport ecosystem to support the future of innovative air mobility in Europe.

While much attention is given to VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft, the success of air taxis depends heavily on establishing essential infrastructure like vertiports and effective traffic management systems. The project aims to safely integrate vertiports—specialized areas for VCA take-offs and landings—into European airspace by extending current air traffic management (ATM) frameworks to accommodate these new operations.

EUREKA aims to tackle significant challenges, including the lack of existing vertiport infrastructure and the need to harmonize new systems with traditional Air Traffic Management (ATM) procedures. By collaborating with industry stakeholders, regulators, and national authorities, the project develops a tailored approach, departure, and en-route procedures, and it validates a collaborative traffic management system.

Ultimately, the project aims to provide policymakers with recommendations for uniform safety standards and operational procedures, laying the groundwork for a safe, efficient, and scalable vertiport network that integrates seamlessly with Europe’s existing airspace.

Find out more here.