The first U-space airspace in Switzerland will be introduced in the Zurich region. Its implementation is planned for the end of 2026. The associated services and processes are currently being tested.
When? End of 2026
Where? The area is located within the Zurich controlled airspace (CTR) and covers an area of approximately 10 km by 17 km (see map below)
Why? Drone operations in the Zurich airspace region have increased significantly. To maintain a high level of safety, U-space services will support drone pilots in their operations. In its response to Postulate 22.4580 “Developing and regulating civil drones” (in german), the Federal Council identified the introduction of U-space in Zurich as a key measure to ensure the safe use of drones in Switzerland.
Phased introduction
U-space is a new concept. Many U-space services are still under development and are not yet available on the market. To ensure safety in Swiss airspace, U-space will therefore be introduced in several phases. These phases allow the concept to be tested, potential risks to be analysed and, where necessary, mitigated. FOCA coordinates the necessary work in collaboration with U-space service providers (USSPs), the air navigation service provider Skyguide, and other U-space stakeholders.
In November 2025, the first phase of the U-space introduction was carried out in the form of a real-world test (Field Test V1). The objective was to assess the technical and operational maturity as well as the interoperability of U-space services. The report of this field test can be found on this page.
FOCA documents and publishes the results of the U-space field tests on this page.
Drone operations in the Zurich U-space
The U-space in Zurich is expected to be fully introduced by the end of 2026. From that moment on, the use of U-space services will be mandatory for all drone pilots operating within the U-space area.
To use U-space services, drone operators will need to register once with a USSP of their choice and integrate their drone into the U-space system. The USSPs active in the Zurich U-space will be listed on this page. The Operator Manual provides drone pilots with guidance on the correct use of U-space services.
