Czech Republic moves closer to U-space as CIS+ system is delivered
Technology company UpVision has delivered the CIS+ system to Czech air navigation provider ANS CR, providing the digital backbone for coordinating drone traffic under U-space. Full deployment is expected in the second half of 2027.
The Czech Republic has taken another step towards implementing U-space, the European framework for managing drone traffic in designated airspace. UpVision, a technology company within the CSG Group, has handed over its CIS+ (Common Information Service) system to Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic (ANS CR). The system is meant to supply the digital infrastructure that lets drone operations be coordinated with conventional aviation and other airspace users. Full deployment is currently expected in the second half of 2027.
What the system does
CIS+ runs on UpVision's MAIA software platform and will act as the central information layer for U-space in the country. It collects, processes and distributes the data that U-space service providers (USSPs) need to coordinate drone flights. Its services include distributing details of geographical zones and flight restrictions, sharing approved flight authorisations, and identifying and tracking drones in real time. It can also supply information on manned aircraft operations, report deviations from approved flight plans, and pass on meteorological data from ANS CR's operational systems.
A key aspect is integration with the existing air traffic management (ATM) infrastructure, so operational and weather information moves directly from the conventional system into the U-space environment.
Coordinating restrictions
The system is also meant to simplify coordination when airspace conditions change unexpectedly. If ANS CR imposes a temporary restriction for an air ambulance operation, an air show or a visit by a head of state, CIS+ can send this digitally to all connected service providers, who can build it into their planning. Requests for drone flights in airspace requiring coordination with ANS CR are routed through CIS+ for assessment, and the decisions are distributed automatically to the relevant providers. Providers can also share information about authorised flights, giving them a common operational picture instead of separate communication channels.
Not yet an operational U-space
The system still has to go through operational implementation and certification. CIS+ supplies the information infrastructure, but a working U-space also needs certified service providers serving drone operators. In September 2025, CSG announced UpVision had been chosen to supply the system, with launch then expected in summer 2026. The latest announcement indicates that the timeline has shifted.
