ANRA-led test lets Wing, Manna and a fire service share airspace over Chorley

Drone delivery firms Wing and Manna Air Delivery and Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service have coordinated flights in the same airspace while using different traffic management systems, in a demonstration led by ANRA Technologies in Chorley, Lancashire. The UK Civil Aviation Authority approved the approach.

The flights took place inside one temporary danger area. Before take-off the operators exchanged flight intentions to spot conflicts, using the ASTM F3548-21 standard. ANRA provided traffic management for Manna and the fire service, while Wing used its own system.

The project began in May 2025 with a grant from the CAA's Airspace Modernisation Support Fund. The consortium now plans to add more operators and service providers and to keep working with the CAA on procedures and governance.

“This first in-kind demonstration of UTM in the UK is an important milestone,” said Giancarlo Buono, the CAA's group director for its Safety, Airspace and Regulatory Group.