Asia-Pacific regulators release world’s first guidelines for commercial operation of air taxis, drones
These are to be submitted to International Civil Aviation Organization for global adoption
[SINGAPORE] Asia-Pacific aviation regulators have published the world’s first set of guidelines on air taxis and drones, anticipating future commercial operation of these vehicles in the region.
Regulators can voluntarily adopt the guidelines, which will also be submitted to the International Civil Aviation Organization to be adopted as a global standard.
The guidelines were released on Monday (Jul 14) at the second meeting of Apac regulators on advanced air mobility (AAM) and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), spearheaded by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).
AAM is a new type of aviation characterised by compact aircraft designed for shorter-range travel, including air taxis. Many of these are electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) craft, being developed by startups such as Archer Aviation and Volocopter.
CAAS director-general Han Kok Juan said: “The Asia-Pacific region will be a major market for AAM, which will transform the way people work, move and live and be another engine of economic growth.”
The launch of the guidelines “is a significant step forward to more widespread use of drones and making air taxi operations a reality”, he added.
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Known as reference materials, the guidelines are a starting point for formal regulations regarding the new technologies. Regulators can use or adapt the materials to prepare for and facilitate commercial operations of air taxis and drones.
The materials also aim to raise awareness of these technologies and regulatory approaches, as well as considerations when integrating eVTOLs and more complex UAS operations into existing aviation regulations.
They were created by 24 states and administrations, led by China, the Cook Islands, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Incorporating industry feedback, the guidelines include safety targets for eVTOL operations, industry standards and compliance. They will be updated regularly, in line with the fast-paced development of AAM and UAS technology.
The meeting was attended by representatives of 20 countries and 21 AAM companies and organisations, who discussed plans for the launch of air taxi operations and expanded uses of drones in the next five years, as well as cooperation on such operations.
It was part of High-Level Aviation Week, which runs from Jul 14 to 19, where government and industry leaders gather in Singapore for discussions. The event was also marked by the debut of a regional sustainability centre for aviation.
The first meeting of Apac regulators on AAM took place in November 2023, during which the development of the reference materials was mooted by CAAS.
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