Drone and UAM Expo Opens in Songdo (송도), Incheon, for Three Days Starting July 15

First Flight of Domestically Made UAM Aircraft, 1,500-Drone Fireworks Show, and Other Diverse Programs

Kim Hyun-soo, Reporter Posted 2026/07/14 [11:33] Article No. 52064

The Incheon Metropolitan City (인천광역시) government announced on the 14th that it will host the ‘2026 6th Korea Drone & UAM Expo’ (2026 제6회 대한민국 드론·UAM 박람회) from July 15 to 17 at Songdo Convensia (송도 컨벤시아), the Incheon National University (인천대) Innovation Center, and Songdo Moonlight Festival Park (송도 달빛축제공원). Co-hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (국토교통부) and the city of Incheon, the event will include the country’s first flight demonstration of an actual UAM aircraft built by a domestic company, while the city will also unveil, for the first time, its UAM commercialization strategy centered on an ’emergency transportation system for island regions.’

[코리안투데이] A view of the exhibition hall at the Korea Drone & UAM Expo (대한민국 드론·UAM 박람회) held at Songdo Convensia (송도 컨벤시아) © 김현수 기자

First Flight of Domestic UAM Aircraft… Incheon Unveils Commercialization Strategy

On July 15, the first day of the event, the ‘K-UAM Service Showcase’ — the highlight of the expo — will be held at the Incheon National University (인천대) Innovation Center. There, a UAM aircraft built by a domestic company will perform the country’s first live flight demonstration, flying at an altitude of five meters for about four minutes.

The opening ceremony that follows will include an opening celebration, a presentation on the government’s policy implementation strategy, a tour of the exhibition hall, and a ceremonial first kick of drone soccer. From the 15th to the 16th, a UAM conference will be held at the Premier Ballroom of Songdo Convensia (송도 컨벤시아), where domestic and international experts will present on global UAM policy, infrastructure strategy, and trends in technological innovation.

In particular, drawing on its geographic characteristics as a region with numerous islands, the city of Incheon will use the occasion to unveil, for the first time, its ‘UAM Commercialization Strategy,’ centered on an ’emergency transportation system for island regions’ as its first commercialization model.

[코리안투데이] A flight demonstration of a domestically made UAM aircraft held at the Incheon National University (인천대) Innovation Center © 김현수 기자

From a Youth Job Fair to a 1,500-Drone Fireworks Show

On the second day, the 16th, events will continue with the FIDA Intercontinental Cup Drone Leisure Sports Competition, a global familiarization tour for Korean drone companies, a UAM job fair, and a university student UAM Olympiad. At the expo venue, corporate IR pitching sessions and public lectures will also be held to connect young talent with investors.

Starting at 8 p.m. on the 15th, the ‘2026 K-Drone Festival’ (K-드론 페스티벌) will be held at Songdo Moonlight Festival Park (송도 달빛축제공원). Alongside a commemorative ceremony, congratulatory performances, a musical, and event booths, the festival will feature a ‘drone delivery event’ in which drones deliver products directly, as well as a fireworks drone light show involving 1,500 drones.

[코리안투데이] The fireworks drone show at the 2026 K-Drone Festival (K-드론 페스티벌) held at Songdo Moonlight Festival Park (송도 달빛축제공원) © 김현수 기자

With an International Airport and Port, Incheon Aims to Become a Future Mobility Hub

During the event, policy gatherings such as the 2026 second general assembly of the Drone Industry Alliance (드론산업 얼라이언스) and the 20th working committee meeting of K-UAM Team Korea will also be held, continuing discussions on cooperation among the central government, local government, and industry.

Incheon Mayor Park Chan-dae (박찬대) said, ‘This expo will serve as a milestone showing the present and future of the drone and UAM industries in one place,’ adding, ‘We will concentrate the city administration’s capabilities so that Incheon can leap forward to become a central city in the global future air mobility industry, beyond Korea.’