European Commission published its Drone Strategy 2.0

The European Commission (EC) published its ‘Drone Strategy 2.0 for a Smart and Sustainable Unmanned Aircraft Eco-System in Europe’ this week.

Earlier this year, the European Commission’s Drone Leaders Group, including the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and other member companies, published their final report on drone regulation. This report became the basis of the EC’s new drone strategy.

This strategy sets out the framework and key actions that the European Union will take to support the development of uncrewed aircraft and their integration into European airspace. It also explained how the deployment of piloted electric Urban and Regional Air Mobility operations will take place in and around European cities, municipalities and regions.

In the strategy, the EC laid out how drones should be used in cargo and passenger operations. It also explained the performance-based and risk-based regulations, as well as the skills development training needed to ensure that drones are used properly. The strategy is also meant to ensure that drones in Europe are widely used and regulated by 2030.

The new strategy also draws on current U-space regulatory framework and also sets out the new Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) framework to regulate local and regional commercial air travel and the new Innovative Aerial Services (IAS) framework. IAS will regulate imaging, surveillance, mapping and inspecting in EU states, whereas IAM focuses on the use of drones in commercial operations.

The impact of drones in Europe

The report predicts that the drone sector in the European Union could be valued at €14.5 billion by 2030 and could create more than 145,000 new jobs over the next decade.

However, despite the economic benefits, there are concerns about the effects that drone production will have on the environment. But the report included ways to offset the carbon footprint, such as production and recycling regulations during production, and how to reduce noise pollution when they are in flight.

Kyle Martin, GAMA Vice President of European Affairs, said: “The latest strategy rightly highlights the important growing market for both cargo and passenger-carrying Urban and Regional Air Mobility (UAM) operations as a key enabler for the sustainable mobility of citizens and goods in the European Union.”

“GAMA will continue to work closely with the European Commission, EASA and Member States to make the strategy’s vison for 2030 a reality for EU citizens and businesses,” he added.

European cities are already benefiting from drone technology in healthcare and emergency medicine.