Social Acceptance of Innovative Air Mobility in Ireland

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) and its broader concept, Innovative Air Mobility (IAM), represent transformative advancements in urban transportation systems, offering potential solutions to the growing challenges of urban congestion and environmental sustainability. Ireland is actively engaging in this innovative field, with numerous initiatives aimed at enhancing technology and infrastructures while exploring effective methods for integrating drone services into existing systems. However, to successfully implement this emergent technology in wider society, social acceptance needs to be addressed. This study aimed at gathering stakeholder feedback on perceptions of drone operations and IAM services within the Irish context. Insights from potential users, industry experts, and local authorities have been collected to assess overall attitudes, expected benefits for the Irish ecosystem, and key concerns or barriers. Ultimately, our results will support the efforts of Irish authorities and the European Union in fostering a participatory approach to the development of the drone landscape, ensuring that people perspectives are considered in shaping the future of IAM in Ireland.