Italy Civil Drone Market
Research published by the Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Observatory of the Polytechnic University of Milan indicates that 2024 represented a turning point for the Italian drone sector, particularly in terms of regulation and applications. During the year, the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) introduced and further structured key regulatory frameworks, including Vertiport Certification and Authorization (VCA), U-space implementation, and regulatory sandbox mechanisms to support experimental and pre-commercial operations.
A major milestone was the activation of Europe’s first U-space airspace in November 2024 in the province of Chieti (Abruzzo). The San Salvo U-space zone is a dedicated, geofenced airspace enabling drone operations supported by U-space services and allowing more complex missions, including beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) flights.
Several high-profile pilot projects were launched or expanded during the year, including cargo delivery trials linked to Amazon Prime Air in San Salvo, postal delivery services between Naples and Procida, and pilots in medical logistics, environmental monitoring, and agriculture. In parallel, the HyperTwin platform was announced to support the digital management, simulation, and coordination of drone operations at scale. Despite increasing activity, most initiatives remain in pilot or experimental phases, with limited commercial deployment.
From a market perspective, the Italian professional drone sector (B2B and B2G) reached an estimated value of approximately $188 million in 2024, representing year-on-year growth of around 10 percent. Beyond this core segment, the combined drone and advanced air mobility market exceeded $700 million in 2025, up from approximately $596 million in 2024, with projections reaching $1.73 billion by 2030. While the traditional professional drone market—primarily focused on inspection, monitoring, and mapping—remains relatively modest in size, the broader ecosystem is expanding more rapidly, driven by public-sector initiatives, infrastructure investment, and experimentation in logistics, mobility, and urban air services.
Market demand continues to be dominated by aerial operations, which account for approximately 96 percent of total market value, largely tied to established use cases. Innovative Air Mobility and delivery services represent the remaining 4 percent; while growing, this segment has seen only limited gains compared with 2023, highlighting the gap between experimentation and large-scale commercial viability.
Market consolidation accelerated in 2024, with the number of active drone companies declining to approximately 657 operators. On average, around 5 percent of firms exit the market annually, primarily smaller and recently established players, while new entrants account for roughly 2 percent per year, reflecting sustained pressure on profitability, scale, and long-term sustainability.
From a regulatory and infrastructure standpoint, ENAC continued to structure the Innovative Air Mobility ecosystem through the progressive rollout of U-space, VCA, and sandbox frameworks. At the infrastructure level, additional cities—including Varese, Piacenza, and Ancona—announced plans for vertiport development, signaling growing institutional interest. However, concerns persist regarding the economic sustainability of service providers, particularly in passenger transport and urban air mobility.
Overall, Italy continues to position itself as a key regulatory and experimental testbed for drones and advanced air mobility in Europe. The sector’s main challenges remain the development of infrastructure and logistics; regulatory and safety frameworks, including airspace management; operational constraints such as congestion, noise, and cybersecurity; public acceptance; and the transition to economically viable business models beyond pilot phases.
U.S. manufacturers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are encouraged to review applicable FAA and EASA certification requirements and to work through a local agent, distributor, or representative when entering the Italian market. Participation in regional trade shows offers valuable opportunities to connect with potential partners. A few key events are listed below. The U.S. Commercial Service (CS) in Italy provides export assistance and market-entry support, including partner identification. For additional information on the Italian market and CS services, contact: Maria Calabria, Aerospace and Defense Trade Specialist, Maria.Calabria@trade.gov.
Dronitaly
EX-GAM Bologna Congress Center, Italy
March 11-13, 2026
Intertraffic Mobility
RAI Amsterdam
The Netherlands
March 10-13, 2006
XPONENTIAL Europe
Düsseldorf, Germany
March 24-26, 2026