Key Point: First Executive from the Terra Drone Group Selected to Lead AME, Bridging Airspace Regulatory Development and Real-World Implementation
Tokyo, July 10, 2025 – Terra Drone Corporation, a leading drone and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technology company headquartered in Japan, is pleased to announce that Andres Van Swalm, founder and CEO of Unifly, its Belgium-based subsidiary and a global leader in UAS Traffic Management (UTM) solutions, has been appointed President of the Alliance of New Mobility Europe (AME), effective July 1, 2025. AME is a prominent European industry association with strong public and private sector influence, dedicated to promoting the regulatory development and societal implementation of next-generation air mobility, including drones and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). Van Swalm’s appointment reflects recognition of Unifly’s longstanding contributions to both the regulatory development and real-world implementation of UTM systems across Europe. This marks the first time an executive from the Terra Drone Group has been selected to lead the organization. Through this leadership appointment, Terra Drone continues to contribute to the global development of airspace infrastructure.
Group photo with AME board members and key stakeholders from affiliated organizations
(See end of document for individual identifications.)
About AME (Alliance of New Mobility Europe)
The Alliance of New Mobility Europe (AME) is an industry organization based in Brussels, Belgium, dedicated to promoting regulatory development and real-world implementation of next-generation air mobility technologies such as drones and AAM. Its members include mobility-related companies, government agencies, and research institutions (1).
AME serves as one of the key organizations representing the voices of various industry stakeholders in dialogues with public institutions such as the European Commission—the executive body of the EU—and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which oversees aviation regulation. It plays a vital role as a hub for providing practical, on-the-ground insights into rulemaking and standardization processes related to European airspace policy.
In addition, AME actively participates in public-private regulatory design projects and demonstration initiatives across Europe. One notable example is the CORUS-XUAM project (2), in which Unifly was also involved. Far beyond serving as a mere advisory body, AME plays an essential role on the ground in supporting the implementation of airspace policy and shaping the future of Europe’s airspace.
Background of the Appointment
Andres Van Swalm, Founder and CEO of Unifly, has been actively engaged for over a decade in the design, standardization, demonstration, and deployment of regulatory framework for drones and AAM. Unifly’s UTM system is currently deployed in multiple countries, primarily across Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
Unifly has been a core member of AME since its establishment, and Van Swalm has played a central role in dialogues with air navigation service providers, industry stakeholders, and research institutions across Europe. His extensive practical experience and proven track record as a trusted bridge between the public and private sectors were key factors in his selection as the new President of AME.
On the day of his appointment, Van Swalm participated in a working group session at the European Parliament in his capacity as President of AME. The session focused on coordination among airspace policy, defense, and industrial strategies. In his remarks, he emphasized that while Europe leads other regions in establishing regulatory frameworks for U-space (3), further policy commitment and practical collaboration with private sector stakeholders are essential to enabling commercial scaling.
Andres Van Swalm, CEO of Unifly and President of AME stated: I am honored to take on the role of President of AME at such a pivotal time for the drone and AAM industry in Europe. AME has long contributed to the development of European airspace infrastructure by serving as a bridge between regulatory development and real-world implementation. Moving forward, I look forward to working closely with our member companies and public-private partners to ensure that next-generation air mobility—such as drones and AAM—becomes an integrated part of everyday life across Europe.
Future Outlook
Through this appointment, AME aims to further strengthen its role in Europe by jointly promoting regulatory development, standardization, and commercial deployment, thereby enhancing its role in Europe and overall contribution to the industry. Key priorities moving forward include:
- Enhancing the human and financial resources of national civil aviation authorities and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)
- Updating regulations to accommodate emerging technologies such as automation and single-operator, multi-drone missions
- Scaling and accelerating SESAR (4)-supported projects across Europe
- Developing frameworks that balance the use of drones for both commercial and defense purposes
- Facilitating investment in takeoff and landing infrastructure to support urban operations
Terra Drone aims to position itself as a key player in the global deployment of airspace infrastructure by actively engaging not only in the development and provision of UTM systems, but also in regulatory development and real-world implementation.
Editor’s Notes:
1 Selected Member Organizations
(Full list available at: https://mobilityalliance.eu/members-1/)
- D-Flight: A U-space service provider under ENAV, Italy’s national air navigation service provider
- Droniq: A U-space service provider under DFS, the German air navigation service provider
- ENAIRE: Spain’s national air navigation service provider and a U-space service provider
- CRISALION Mobility: A Spanish manufacturer of eVTOL aircraft
- ADLC: A Belgian drone logistics company
2 Related press release: https://terra-drone.net/16123
3 U-space refers to the European concept for drone traffic management, encompassing not only airspace design but also the broader regulatory framework for drone integration.
4 A European air traffic management modernization program aimed at developing next-generation aviation traffic management systems.
About Terra Drone Corporation
Terra Drone Corporation, headquartered in Japan, is a global leader in drone and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions. Dedicated to the mission of “Unlock ‘X’ Dimensions”, the company is committed to creating a prosperous future by “crossing” bridges—integrating diverse fields to foster innovation and find solutions. Specializing in surveying, inspections, agriculture, and UAS Traffic Management (UTM), Terra Drone serves industries such as oil and gas, construction, chemicals, energy, and agriculture.
With a portfolio of over 3,000 completed projects worldwide, Terra Drone has achieved significant milestones in the drone operations field. In July 2023, the company acquired a majority stake in Unifly, a world-leading provider of UTM platform, with deployments in over eight countries, followed by an investment in U.S.-based Aloft Technologies in February 2024, further expanding its capabilities in UTM.Terra Drone was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market (Stock Code: 278A) on November 29, 2024. It also secured top spot in Global Drone Service Provider Rankings for 2024.
Recognized by Drone Industry Insights as one of the top three industrial drone service providers globally for five consecutive years, Terra Drone aims to build the digital infrastructure necessary to unlock the full potential of drones and AAM solutions. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.terra-drone.net
About Unifly NV
Unifly is a leading aviation tech company dedicated to enhancing the safety and efficiency of autonomous aviation with cutting-edge technology. The Unifly platform acts as a crucial bridge within the UAS ecosystem, enabling the safe and secure integration of next-generation aircraft into the airspace. By digitizing and automating traffic management and integrating seamlessly with drones and Urban Air Mobility (UAM), Unifly addresses the exponential growth in air traffic expected in the coming decades. The company has a proven track record of implementing more than ten commercial UTM deployments, establishing it as a world leader in this industry.
For more information, please visit the website at Unifly.aero or contact us at press@unifly.aero.
