Urban Air Traffic Management Concept of Operations

Consultation has concluded

EmbraerX and Airservices Australia collaborated on a research project to help prepare the Australian airspace and the aviation industry for the growth of urban air mobility (UAM). Recent estimates project that by 2035, 23,000 electric air taxis, called electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, will be serving a global market worth US$74B. These vehicles will transport passengers and cargo over short to medium distances where it is faster or more affordable than conventional ground-based transportation modes. The growth of UAM can create new jobs, improve transportation networks and strengthen regional and urban connectivity.

Australia has a safe, reliable and efficient airspace. A growing demand for UAM flights will put pressure on existing air traffic management (ATM) systems and challenge regulatory approaches in Australia and globally. To support this growth and facilitate the UAM industry, Airservices needs data to inform how we strategically manage airspace and design procedures that result in minimal disruption to existing and future ATM operations. Furthermore, data is needed to assure communities and government that noise management issues can be addressed and that other airspace users will continue to receive equitable airspace access.

Collaborating with EmbraerX, the disruptive innovation arm of Embraer, the research project developed and tested a Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for integrating UAM traffic into the low-level airspace. Concept testing, through simulations, focused on a nominal metropolitan city (Melbourne) in the context of the Australian airspace, the regulatory environment, and the community.

The goal of this collaborative project was to gain insight into the feasibility of traffic management concepts that will enable UAM operations to scale safely. This CONOPS contributes to a global body of work being undertaken by similar organisations around the world.

EmbraerX and Airservices consulted with key Commonwealth and state government agencies and industry representatives in the development of the CONOPS. Further consultation with stakeholders will take place as we review the feedback and refine its contents.


EmbraerX and Airservices Australia collaborated on a research project to help prepare the Australian airspace and the aviation industry for the growth of urban air mobility (UAM). Recent estimates project that by 2035, 23,000 electric air taxis, called electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, will be serving a global market worth US$74B. These vehicles will transport passengers and cargo over short to medium distances where it is faster or more affordable than conventional ground-based transportation modes. The growth of UAM can create new jobs, improve transportation networks and strengthen regional and urban connectivity.

Australia has a safe, reliable and efficient airspace. A growing demand for UAM flights will put pressure on existing air traffic management (ATM) systems and challenge regulatory approaches in Australia and globally. To support this growth and facilitate the UAM industry, Airservices needs data to inform how we strategically manage airspace and design procedures that result in minimal disruption to existing and future ATM operations. Furthermore, data is needed to assure communities and government that noise management issues can be addressed and that other airspace users will continue to receive equitable airspace access.

Collaborating with EmbraerX, the disruptive innovation arm of Embraer, the research project developed and tested a Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for integrating UAM traffic into the low-level airspace. Concept testing, through simulations, focused on a nominal metropolitan city (Melbourne) in the context of the Australian airspace, the regulatory environment, and the community.

The goal of this collaborative project was to gain insight into the feasibility of traffic management concepts that will enable UAM operations to scale safely. This CONOPS contributes to a global body of work being undertaken by similar organisations around the world.

EmbraerX and Airservices consulted with key Commonwealth and state government agencies and industry representatives in the development of the CONOPS. Further consultation with stakeholders will take place as we review the feedback and refine its contents.