“Canarias Stratoport for HAPS & UAS”, a project to provide operational airspace and support facilities for HAPS and UAS

Fostered by the Technology Park of Fuerteventura (PTFSA), the “Canarias Stratoport for HAPS
& UAS” is an initiative under development in the Canary Islands to provide an operational
facility for HAPS and UAS, including both Lighter-than-air (LTA) and Heavier-than-air (HTA)
aerial platforms.

This infrastructure is in the island of Fuerteventura, well-known for its wonderful beaches and
sunny weather conditions, and will provide multiple capacities including testing, payloads
integration, 5G experimental facilities, operation, maintenance, and even a certification
sandbox for HAPS and UAS.

This facility is currently under construction, and it will be operational for 4Q2023. It includes a
900-meter paved runway for UAS operations and a circular 500-meter radius surface to enable
HAPS operations in all directions. A second phase will be started immediately to cover the
construction of different hangars and additional infrastructure to support the operation of
HAPS and UAS.

Besides, PTFSA is currently building a specific centre named ISSEC (International Smart Centre
for Security, Emergencies, Biodiversity, and other Public Service Missions) focused on data
processing and analysis. This data will be provided by HAPS and UAS missions with the
necessary onboard equipment to monitor, among others, natural environment and coastal
zones monitoring, and able to provide support to forest firefighting and security applications,
as well. Satellite data will be also considered. Significant aerospace companies are currently
tendering to provide the applications under the ISSEC facility.