On Thursday 22 April, the European Commission adopted the ‘U-space’ package (EUROPE 11674/16), a set of three regulations defining rules and conditions to allow drones and manned aircraft to cohabit safely in the European Union’s airspace.
In addition to harmonising the conditions necessary for aircraft and drones to coexist, notably by limiting the risks of collision, these regulations introduce new services for drone operators, allowing them to carry out more complex operations, at longer distances - particularly in congested airspace and at low altitude - and when they are out of sight.
“Drones are a clear part of the future transport and logistics landscape. There is vast potential when it comes to new cargo and delivery services, as well as other innovative applications, including drone flights with passengers on board in the future”, said Transport Commissioner Adina Vălean.
The ‘U-space’ package is part of the Sustainable and Intelligent Mobility Strategy (see EUROPE 12619/12 ), which aims to lay the foundations for the EU’s green and digital transformation in transport. The regulatory package will enter into force in April and will apply from 26 January 2023.
See the full regulation: https://bit.ly/3x9NUZU (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)