Who we are
As a European unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and innovative air mobility (IAM) association, we bring together suppliers, operators and public actors to expand our members’ influence and market opportunities. We represent our members before public authorities, regulatory bodies and other stakeholders, foster new business opportunities, create connections and a lively community of like-minded people.
We unite leading organisations from the New Mobility domain that are active in, or provide support to, the uncrewed vehicle industry. What unites our diverse, cross-sector membership base is the overarching aim to create a sustainable, large-scale market that supports innovation and business growth.
We were legally established as a non-profit association under Belgian law in 2021 and have our headquarters in Brussels, in direct vicinity to the European institutions.
What we do
We represent our members in various stakeholder bodies and forums at EU and international levels
AME creates a joint voice for its members, and amplifies the impact each single member can have on their own. We are a recognised entity in different official stakeholder bodies, where we represent the voice of industry, for instance in the European Commission’s Informal Expert Group on Drones that advises the Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE); in EASA’s Drone Community (D.COMM) and Drone Community Steering Group (D.CSTG), and as co-chair of the EASA Activity Group on Airspace Integration and U-space.
Beyond that, we establish close collaboration with other Commission Directorate-Generals, engage with the relevant committees and individual members of the European Parliament, and facilitate exchange between our members and key policymakers and regulators. We also engage with EU and international organisations and interest groups, e.g. ICAO, the European UAS Standards Coordination Group, the European Network of U-space Stakeholders, EUROCONTROL, and CANSO, which is a core partner to AME.
We develop and promote joint positions and increase visibility for our members
We identify common issues and challenges where a coordinated European regulatory framework will improve market potentials. Our goal is for the framework to ensure safe operations, provide clear guidance to business while keeping burdens at a reasonable level. By translating and channelling the views of our members into joint positions, we can provide concrete input to topics that are of high interest to our members, making sure they are taken into account in the development of new regulation. Activities range from joint position papers to the participation in structured consultation processes, be it at the level of technical working groups or EU-wide public consultations.
To increase visibility, we participate in international events, secure speaking slots at high-level conferences, and organise group benefits for AME members, e.g. tickets at a reduced price or joint booths for members to present their services, making participation in selected trade fairs more affordable.
We help our members access EU funding and also participate in EU-funded projects as an association
As a founding member of the SESAR3 Joint Undertaking – a public-private partnership between the European Commission, EUROCONTROL, and industry – we are part of the SESAR3 governance structure, notably the SESAR3 Governing Board and the Programme Committee, and contribute to both the strategic direction and the shaping of its work programmes, ensuring they are well aligned with the needs of the industry.
Beyond SESAR, we monitor opportunities in other parts of Horizon Europe and further EU funding instruments, such as the European Defence Fund, and open project opportunities. As a legal entity, we also participate as a project partner in EU-funded projects that are of strategic interest to AME and its members, which allows us to contribute to their implementation, but also to gain access to relevant advancements early in the process. Find an overview of our projects here.
We provide information and networking opportunities
We regularly provide the AME community with in-depth insight into regulatory key developments and decision-making processes. We connect our members with key players to foster partnerships and business opportunities.
AME members appreciate the possibility to exchange with like-minded colleagues within the association on topics of shared interest. Thanks to a membership base that stretches across different sectors and business fields, AME members also use the connections they create to launch joint projects and find business partners.