AIRlabs Austria

What AIRlabs Austria does

AIRlabs Austria GmbH is a Graz-headquartered innovation laboratory that develops and operates dedicated unmanned aerial systems (UAS) test infrastructure and provides regulatory and R&D services to the European drone ecosystem. Founded in 2020 with public funding from the Austrian Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), the company manages five designated test areas spanning approximately 272 km² across Austria — including the high-alpine Steinalpl (LO-R 9, up to 7,500 ft AMSL), forested Frauschereck (LO-R 11, 116.7 km²), alpine Hochkar (LO-R 12), lowland industrial Reichersberg (LO-R 10), and the LOGG Punitz airfield with 800 m runway. These environments cover the operational envelope for BVLOS flights, sensor and altitude testing, icing-condition trials, fixed-wing/hybrid take-off and landing, and ATM/UTM demonstrations.

AIRlabs delivers a seven-stage service lifecycle (Idee, Konzept, Simulation, Validierung, Regulatorik, Testbetrieb, Markteintritt) covering concept feasibility, system simulation and validation, SORA-based regulatory approval, supervised flight operations, and market entry support. Proprietary and consortium-developed technical assets include the IFIRE icing forecast system and Austrian Icing Map (FFG Take Off funded, with PEGASUS, FH JOANNEUM, TU Graz) and a generic SORA framework for location-independent BVLOS inspections co-developed with BLADESCAPE. AIRlabs has demonstrated SAIL II regulatory pathways and ground risk reductions from Class 6 to Class 3 for complex BVLOS operations in collaboration with Austro Control.

The business model combines public research funding (BMIMI/FFG grants, including Take Off program), professional services for SORA consulting and system validation, consortium-based membership (transitioning under AIRlabs 2.0 to a recurring subscription model), and event revenue (annual Future Conference at €190/attendee; the UAV Flight Test Convention co-initiated with DLR, Airbus, and TU Munich). A consortium of 19+ partners — including FACC, SCHIEBEL, RIEGL, FREQUENTIS, TU Graz, FH JOANNEUM, Austro Control, and ÖAMTC — underpins the customer and partner ecosystem, with primary customer segments being research institutions, UAV/aerospace manufacturers, government and regulatory bodies, and end-user industries exploring drone applications in inspection, forestry, emergency services, and logistics.

Name

AIRlabs Austria

Legal name

AIRlabs Austria GmbH

Website

https://airlabs.at

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AIRlabs Austria operates designated UAS test areas across alpine, forestry, lowland, and airfield environments in Austria and provides SORA regulatory consulting, simulation, validation, and consortium-based R&D services to research institutions, aerospace manufacturers, and government agencies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

UAV Test Infrastructure and Aerospace R&D Services

NAICS

Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Testing Laboratories and Services (541380)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid) (IMABAIAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Avionics Test, Simulation & Calibration Equipment (IMABAFAN), Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility) (IMABAFAO)

Keywords

• UAV test infrastructure
• SORA regulatory consulting
• BVLOS flight testing
• Drone R&D services
• Aerospace innovation laboratory

Headquarters

HQ city

Feldkirchen Bei Graz

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Research Funding (BMIMI/FFG): AIRlabs Austria originated as an innovation laboratory funded by the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). This public funding supports the national drone research ecosystem development.
2. Consulting and Advisory Services: Fee-for-service offerings including SORA support, regulatory consulting, system validation, and custom UAV project advisory across the seven-stage service lifecycle: Idee, Konzept, Simulation, Validierung, Regulatorik, Testbetrieb, and Markteintritt.
3. Consortium Membership Model: Future membership model under AIRlabs 2.0 providing consortium partners ongoing access to test infrastructure, regulatory expertise, and the AIRlabs network for UAV development and testing.
4. Event and Conference Services: Revenue from events including the annual Future Conference (€190 per attendee plus VAT) and the UAV Flight Test Convention 2026, featuring conference sessions, flight demonstrations, and networking opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

AIRlabs Austria develops and operates five designated UAV test areas across Austria spanning alpine, forestry, lowland, and airfield environments, providing access to real-world flight testing under controlled conditions. The organization delivers a seven-stage service lifecycle covering idea assessment, concept development, simulation, validation, regulatory support (including SORA), test operations, and market entry, alongside research projects such as IFIRE icing forecasting and the Generic SORA framework for BVLOS inspections.

Product overview

AIRlabs Austria operates as Austria's leading innovation network for unmanned aerial systems (UAS), providing a comprehensive ecosystem of test infrastructure, regulatory expertise, and research services. The core offering consists of five distinct test areas (Steinalpl LO-R9, Reichersberg LO-R10, Frauschereck LO-R11, Hochkar LO-R12, and LOGG Punitz Airfield) offering alpine, forest, industrial, and airfield environments for real-world UAV testing. Services include regulatory consulting with SORA support, simulation and validation testing, and operational flight testing. The portfolio includes specialized research projects such as IFIRE (icing condition forecasting), and the AIRlabs 2.0 program expanding the ecosystem. Annual events include the UAV Flight Test Convention. The organization positions itself as the central point of contact within Austria's UAV ecosystem, connecting infrastructure, expertise, and partner networks.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• UAV Test Infrastructure Services Provision of five designated test areas (Steinalpl LO-R 9, Reichersberg LO-R 10, Frauschereck LO-R 11, Hochkar LO-R 12, and LOGG Punitz airfield) spanning alpine, forestry, lowland, and airfield environments for real-world UAV testing under controlled conditions.
• Regulatory Consulting & SORA Support Professional support in obtaining UAV operating approvals including Pre-Application Meetings with authorities, SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) implementation, ConOps development, and ERP coordination. Delivered in close collaboration with Austro Control for complex operations such as BVLOS flights over populated areas.
• Simulation & Validation Services Digital models, simulations, and early testing to assess UAV system behavior before flight. Specialized laboratories and climate chambers verify components, sensors, and systems under real conditions including icing environments and climate wind tunnel testing.
• UAV Flight Test Convention Annual international specialist event bringing together research institutions, public authorities, industry partners, and users in the UAS field. Features flight demonstrations, technical presentations, and networking.
• AIRlabs 2.0 Program Program phase combining mature test infrastructure, regulatory expertise, and application-oriented research to accelerate unmanned aerial systems from concept to deployment, including an evolving consortium membership model for partners.
• IFIRE (Innovative Forecasting of Icing in Real Environment) FFG Take Off funded research project developing test methods and forecast models for UAV operations under natural icing conditions, including the Austrian Icing Map and testing infrastructure to enhance drone safety in extreme weather.
• Generic SORA for BVLOS Inspections Innovation project developing a generic operating approval for BVLOS operations over populated areas, including a robust assessment and approval process not tied to specific locations, in partnership with BLADESCAPE.
• Steinalpl Test Area (LO-R 9) High-alpine test area in the Styrian Mürzsteger Alps covering approximately 102 km², with max flight altitude GND to 7500 ft AMSL. Supports BVLOS operations, altitude tests, sensor tests, Icing experiments (IFIRE), and real-world alpine conditions testing.
• Reichersberg Test Area (LO-R 10) Lowland test area covering approximately 0.7 km² in Innviertel, Upper Austria, with mixed agricultural, industrial, and transport infrastructure. Max flight altitude GND to 4000 ft AMSL. Ideal for inspection flights, BOS (public safety) applications, and first flight tests.
• Frauschereck Test Area (LO-R 11) Forestry test area covering approximately 116.7 km² in Upper Austria near the German border, with elevation profile of approximately 444 m to 755 m AMSL. Ideal for BVLOS operations, long-range flights, sensor tests, and forestry applications.
• Hochkar Test Area (LO-R 12) Alpine test area in the Lower Austrian Ybbstaler Alps covering approximately 53 km² with elevation up to 1592 m AMSL. Forested, thinly populated environment ideal for BVLOS operations, sensor testing, and challenging weather condition testing.
• LOGG Punitz Airfield Airfield in southern Burgenland featuring an 800 m asphalt runway (15/33, 18 m width) at approximately 949 ft AMSL, with hangar and office infrastructure. Ideal for fixed-wing and heavy UAVs requiring runway operations, BVLOS tests, hover tests, and ATM/UTM demonstrations.
• AIRlabs Future Conference Annual international conference bringing together UAS researchers, industry, and authorities. Each edition addresses a defined theme such as global benchmarks for UAS applications, with conference sessions, networking, and project updates.

Quantifiable outcome

• SAIL II achieved through SORA methodology for BVLOS operations over populated areas
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability7 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BLADESCAPE Airborne Services GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Innovation project partner for generic SORA development enabling BVLOS inspections over populated areas. BLADESCAPE brings operational expertise and dynamic population data for risk assessment. Project concluded December 2025 with continuation planned for 2026.
• PEGASUS Research & Development GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023IFIRE project consortium partner contributing to UAV system implementation and validation. FFG Take Off funded project developing icing forecast models and Austrian Icing Map for natural icing condition testing.
• FACC AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Major Austrian aerospace company and consortium partner. FACC conducts UAV testing and development activities including EHang 216 testing operations at the Reichersberg test area. Hosts consortium partner meetings at FACC facilities.
• SCHIEBEL GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Austrian high-tech provider of unmanned aerial systems, known for CAMCOPTER S-100 VTOL. Conducted operational testing and safety concept development for Steinalpl and Frauschereck test areas, including ecological footprint analysis with CAMCOPTER S-100.
• RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Leading Austrian manufacturer of laser scanning systems for UAV-based surveying and mapping. Collaborates on airborne laser scanning (LiDAR) demonstrations and 3D data acquisition projects.
• FREQUENTIS AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Austrian communications and information solutions provider for air traffic control. Active in U-Space and urban air mobility initiatives, contributing to airspace integration solutions.
• FH JOANNEUMcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020University of Applied Sciences with Institute of Aviation. Hosts UAV Flight Test Convention 2026, conducts flight testing and UAV system integration research. Holger Friehmelt serves as Institute Head and Technical-Scientific Director.
• TU Graz (Graz University of Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Leading technical university contributing radar technologies (Skyguard platform), icing forecast models (IFIRE), electromagnetic signature research, and phased-array antenna development through various institutes.
• Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt (AAU)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020University contributing drone infrastructure and research capabilities including OptiTrack Motion Capture System integration for UAV research.
• RTA Rail Tec Arsenal Fahrzeugversuchsanlage GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Research and testing facility contributing to all-weather drone testing including climate wind tunnel capabilities for icing condition investigations.
• APB Corporation GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Consortium partner contributing to AIRlabs innovation network activities.
• Austro ControlcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian air navigation service provider. Close regulatory collaboration for UAV operating approvals, SORA assessments, ConOps development, ERP coordination, and U-Space integration.
• ÖAMTCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian Automobile and Touring Club. Established cooperation for drone integration into manned airspace through ÖAMTC app for flight notifications, enabling EC135T3 Helionix helicopter crews to view drone operations via Euro Nav Moving Map.
• Fire Departments (Bezirks- und freiwillige Feuerwehren)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal fire departments in test area regions. Coordinate emergency procedures for UAV operations including standard 122 alarm protocols and map-based coordination for incidents.
• DLR (German Aerospace Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiator of UAV Flight Test Convention along with Airbus and TU Munich. Operates National Experimental Test Center for UAS in Cochstedt, Germany, facilitating comprehensive research and demonstration under real-world conditions.
• AirbuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor aerospace company co-initiating UAV Flight Test Convention. Contributes to international conference program and European UAV ecosystem development.
• TU Munich (Technische Universität München)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical university co-initiating UAV Flight Test Convention. Contributes technical expertise to conference program and convention development.
• ZHAW School of Engineering (Zurich University of Applied Sciences)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner presenting LINA project (Bridging the Gap to Autonomous Operations) at UAV Flight Test Convention 2026, funded by Zurich Universities Digitalisation Initiative (DIZH).
• KDS-DroneTecminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGerman research consortium funded by Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Contributing to UAV Flight Test Convention 2026 with insights into applied UAS research and operational test scenarios, live-streamed from Leck airfield.
• Conversory Digital Studio GmbHminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDigital agency providing website design, implementation, and content support for AIRlabs Austria web presence.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Frequentis AG: Austrian air traffic control and U-Space solutions provider, core AIRlabs consortium partner contributing airspace integration expertise. Adjacent rather than competitive: provides enabling technology and operational systems that AIRlabs clients rely on.
• Austro Control: Austrian air navigation service provider and AIRlabs regulatory partner responsible for UAV operating approvals in Austrian airspace. An enabling/authority counterpart rather than a competitor — collaborates on SORA assessments and U-Space integration.

Broad incumbents

• ONERA: French national aerospace research center with UAS flight test capabilities and deep regulatory expertise. Provides similar flight testing and certification-adjacent services to AIRlabs but as part of a much broader defense and aerospace research mandate.
• Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR): Dutch national aerospace research organization operating UAS test activities alongside broader aerospace testing and certification work. Overlaps with AIRlabs on UAV testing and SORA/BVLOS expertise but operates at significantly larger scale and across a wider portfolio.
• Airbus Defence and Space — AIR&D: Airbus-led UAS development and demonstration initiative, co-initiator of the UAV Flight Test Convention. Operates UAS development and testing at industrial scale; comparable in focus area but vastly larger in resources, headcount, and customer reach.

Direct peers

• DLR National Experimental Test Center for UAS (Cochstedt): German Aerospace Center facility dedicated to unmanned aircraft system testing across diverse conditions, co-initiator of the UAV Flight Test Convention alongside AIRlabs. Directly comparable operating model — government-backed, multi-environment test ranges, SORA/BVLOS expertise, and EU regulatory collaboration.
• CATEC (Centro Avanzado de Tecnologías Aeroespaciales): Advanced Aerospace Technologies Center in Seville operating one of Europe's most active UAS integration and testing facilities. Comparable in offering flight test infrastructure, certification support, and applied R&D for European UAS operators and manufacturers.
• Aerospace Integration Research Centre (AIRC) at Cranfield University: UK-based aerospace test and integration facility combining flight test ranges, simulation, and certification services for manned and unmanned aircraft. Comparable to AIRlabs in providing integrated flight test, simulation, and regulatory support to OEMs and operators.

Emerging players

• KDS-DroneTec: German UAS research consortium funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, contributing to UAV Flight Test Convention 2026. Comparable emerging player focused on applied UAS research and operational test scenarios.
• ZHAW School of Engineering: Zurich University of Applied Sciences partner presenting the LINA autonomous operations project at UAV Flight Test Convention 2026. Comparable emerging academic player with UAS research and testing capability in the DACH region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCT9_ANXsWvEqXzFmx6dJkgQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/airlabs-austria
• Instagraminstagram.com/airlabsaustria

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AIRlabs Austria