EASA Sets Ground Rules for EU-wide Drone Registration Data Sharing

The European Union’s (EU) 27 member nations now have a framework  (EU) 2019/947) that will allow drone operators to register their aircraft with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This new framework allows owners to fly drones across the EU with a single registration.

Beginning December 31, 2020, drone operators will need to register drones with their respective national aviation authorities.

“We want to make this process as straightforward as possible for the users,” EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky explained. The legislation is part of the Agency’s efforts to “ensure that citizens who are going about their daily business feel, and indeed are, safe, even if drones are flying nearby,” Ky added.

The rules were set to take effect June 30, 2020, but were delayed due to the COVID pandemic. Drone operators and “certified” drones (typically, the larger drones used commercially) will be the first ones required to register. The mandate expands to others between December, 2020, and December 31, 2022.