Drones tested in Fuerteventura for delivering medicines in emergency situations
Fuerteventura has held the final demonstration of a pioneering European project testing the use of drones in medical deliveries and emergency situations.
During the exercise, drones simulated an emergency by detecting an incident and triggering a response protocol. A Government of the Canary Islands emergency and rescue helicopter then took off from Fuerteventura Airport to provide assistance. In a second phase, drones transported medicines from the General Hospital directly to the simulated incident site.
The operation was coordinated using U-Space services managed by ENAIRE and ITG, ensuring safe integration of drones within controlled airspace alongside conventional aircraft.
U-Space is an EU initiative designed to provide digital services and procedures for the safe and automated management of drones, particularly in busy or sensitive airspace near airports.
In Spain, ENAIRE has been appointed the sole provider of Common Information Services (CISP), acting as a bridge between traditional air navigation and new drone operations.
Rodrigo Benedit, technical coordinator of U-ELCOME in Spain, explained that the Fuerteventura demonstration marked the conclusion of three years of testing across eight Spanish regions. However, he noted that thanks to the project, drone flights will continue in many of these areas to further develop practical applications.
He also highlighted the role of Fuerteventura’s Technology Park as a national leader in unmanned aerial operations, playing a key part in validating the roll-out of U-Space across Spain.
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