New ADW advisory group formed to create digital framework for UAS and AAM operations

ADW (Amsterdam Drone Week) has formed a new advisory group focused on digital infrastructure, a strategic move aimed at shaping the air mobility industry. Led by Sebastian Babiarz, Co-President of the Global UTM Association (GUTMA), the group will bring together key stakeholders to shape the future of drone and air mobility operations and address the challenges of scalability, safety, and commercial viability. 

The advisory group’s work is set to play a key role in the upcoming ADW event from April 8–10, 2025. “We are at a critical juncture where foundational digital infrastructure must be established to enable drone operations at scale,” said Babiarz. “Our goal is to create a robust digital framework that supports safe, efficient, and scalable operations, allowing the industry to evolve toward greater automation and autonomy.”

The advisory group includes experts from organisations such as Eurocontrol, GSMA, NASA, and GUTMA, uniting some of the industry’s most influential voices to develop the roadmap for ADW 2025. This group will lead discussions on leveraging existing digital infrastructure – such as mobile networks and cloud technologies – to integrate air mobility into the broader aviation ecosystem.

“Drones are essentially IoT devices, and by integrating them into existing digital ecosystems, we can accelerate their commercial adoption,” Babiarz explained. “This will enable drone operators to achieve automation and scalability while keeping costs manageable.”

The group also aims to address several challenges in scaling operations. These include maintaining stringent safety standards while ensuring agile and cost-effective processes, and integrating drones into airspace traditionally reserved for manned aviation. The advisory group is already working to balance safety regulations with the needs of a rapidly evolving drone sector.

“Fostering open dialogue between regulators, technology developers, and industry stakeholders is essential to creating a safe, scalable environment for drone operations,” Babiarz stated.

This advisory group is part of a larger initiative, consisting of five expert groups, each addressing key challenges in the air mobility sector: Digital Infrastructure, eVTOLs and UAS, Rules and Regulations, Mobility Hubs, and Cities and Regions. The focus of all groups is to move beyond theoretical discussions and concentrate on practical, ready-to-implement solutions that can accelerate the growth of the air mobility economy.