Imagine a future where medical supplies, urgent deliveries and essential services move above congested streets using quiet, low-emission aircraft. Turning that vision into reality requires more than technological innovation; it requires public confidence. The new Horizon Europe-funded project PEGASUS (Piloting European Green Air Mobility and Services for Urban Societal Readiness) has been launched to help Europe build a future for urban air mobility (UAM) that is sustainable, inclusive and trusted by citizens. Coordinated by Trinity College Dublin (TCD), the four-year, €4.83 million project brings together researchers, city authorities, social scientists, leading air mobility operators and citizens from across Europe to ensure that drones and other next-generation aerial transport services are not only technologically viable for urban logistics but also deliver real benefits for urban communities.
A key objective of the project is the development of a pioneering Societal Readiness Score (SRS) for innovative air mobility (IAM) in urban logistics. Drawing on operational experience from more than 200,000 completed missions and over 200 daily ongoing operations, the consortium of 18 organisations will create, test and refine a comprehensive framework for evaluating public acceptance and societal impacts. The score will consider factors such as noise, privacy, safety, energy performance, climate impact and inclusivity. PEGASUS will test and showcase new UAM services in Ireland, Portugal, Italy and Bulgaria. These real-world demonstrations will explore how drones and other low-emission aircraft can be safely and effectively integrated into everyday life, while gathering valuable insights from citizens and local stakeholders. In Ireland, demonstrations will take place at the Future Mobility Campus Ireland (FMCI) vertiport in Shannon, where a range of aircraft operated by project partners Manna, Connect Robotics, TechnoSky and Dronamics will be tested. The vehicles will carry payloads ranging from small parcels of 2.5kg to larger cargo loads of up to 350kg. Demonstrations are also planned in operational settings used by project partners. Subject to the necessary approvals, public demonstration events will provide opportunities for people to see the technologies in action and share their views on the future of UAM.
The project will develop practical tools to help decision-makers understand when and where UAM services are likely to be accepted by the public. These tools will help city authorities, regulators and service providers assess factors such as safety, noise, environmental impact and public attitudes when planning new services. PEGASUS will also produce guidance on drone infrastructure, explore how air-based deliveries can complement existing transport networks, and identify sustainable business models and effective ways to engage local communities. Its findings will help cities plan for future urban mobility and provide a roadmap that other European cities can follow, ensuring new services are practical, sustainable and trusted by the public while supporting Europe's climate goals.
PEGASUS Coordinator, Dr John Kennedy, Associate Professor in Vibrations, Acoustics and Dynamics in Trinity College Dublin’s School of Engineering, said:
“Our cities need new mobility solutions. Traditional transport networks are under increasing pressure from congestion, growing demand for rapid deliveries and the urgent need to cut emissions. UAM could help address these challenges, but only if it earns the trust of the people it is designed to serve. PEGASUS is about understanding how communities, businesses and policymakers can shape the future of these services together. By working closely with all stakeholders, we aim to create a practical roadmap for integrating UAM into Europe's transport systems ensuring they are introduced in ways that are useful, responsible and widely accepted.”
The PEGASUS consortium gathered in Dublin on 26 June 2026 for its kick-off meeting, marking the beginning of a four-year collaboration dedicated to creating a more sustainable, connected and publicly accepted future for UAM in Europe.