The framework is in place. Now we must move forward with courage.
At the 2026 EU Drone Summit in Brussels, the Commission, regulatory authorities, industry representatives, and operators discussed the future of unmanned aviation in Europe. UAV DACH was represented by, among others, Deputy Chairman of the executive Board Oliver Lichtenstein and Michael Wieland, Head of Office.
The European legal framework is in place. Whether this will result in a strong industry will now be determined by the member states. They will decide how quickly applications are processed, how open the airspace is, and whether the public sector actually adopts new technologies. Companies that are expected to grow need reliable local conditions to do so.
Among our fundamental demands, four points are central to us:
Predictable and equivalent permits. Procedures that drag on for many months prevent the development of viable business models. Government agencies need sufficient staff and digital processes. Furthermore, a permit issued in one member state should, in principle, be valid throughout the EU.
Access to airspace. Commercial operators need fair, risk-based access alongside manned aviation, including above 500 ft AGL and in control zones. With ADS-L, we make all airspace users electronically visible.
Procurement as a driver of growth. Public contracting authorities should seek to attract European UAS providers as customers early on, using modular, technology-neutral, and milestone-based procedures. High minimum revenue thresholds exclude young companies, even though the sector consists predominantly of startups.
Local infrastructure. Takeoff and landing sites, energy supply, and communication networks must be incorporated into municipal planning at an early stage.
Can we afford to keep postponing decisions? If we want a strong European drone industry, we must give it the space it needs to grow in practice. We remain committed to this cause in Berlin and Brussels, and we look forward to exchanging ideas with you.