unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) News

Europe’s Aviation Regulator Says Flying Taxis Could Be Airborne by 2024 or 2025

PARIS – Europe could see the first flying taxis enter service as early as 2024, the region’s top aviation regulator said on Wednesday. More than half a dozen European firms have announced developments of Urban Air Mobility vehicles for passenger …

Trial Operations of Flying Taxis, Cargo Drones Will Begin in England This Year

Trial operations of flying taxis and cargo drones will begin in Coventry, England, before the end of the year as part of a plan to develop “aerial roads” for unmanned flights in urban areas. The project, backed by 1.2 million …

Alphabet’s Wing Aviation Warns Proposed Drone ID Rules Invite Privacy Issues

Alphabet Inc.’s drone delivery unit Wing criticized Trump administration rules issued this week mandating broadcast-based remote identification of drones, saying they should be revised to allow for internet-based tracking. On Monday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued rules that will …

U.S. Seeks Certificaton Criteria for Civilian Drones

Government regulators plan to review drone designs in the same way they review other aircraft, a major step toward allowing routine drone deliveries and other flights over congested cities. The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday announced it’s seeking comment from …

UK to Extend No-Fly Zone for Drones Flying Near Airports

Britain will impose a 5 kilometer (3.1 mile) drone exclusion zone around its runways as the government responds to illegal incursions that closed London Gatwick airport for 36 hours in December, disrupting travel for more than 120,000 people. The measures, …

Dubai International Airport Suspends Flights over Suspected Drones

Flights from Dubai International Airport were suspended for half an hour starting from 10:13 a.m. local time over “suspected drone activity,” a Dubai Airports spokesperson said in an emailed statement. A hub for Emirates airlines, the airport in Dubai is …

Insurance Industry Use of Drone, Aerial Imagery Soared After 2018 Southeast Disasters

The importance of drones and aerial imagery rose to a new level in the wake of 2018 natural catastrophes as insurers made them an integral part of their disaster recovery procedures, particularly following the hurricanes in the Southeast. From the …

Drone Travel Chaos at Gatwick Airport Cost EasyJet Nearly $20 Million

EasyJet lost 15 million pounds ($19 million) during 36 hours of travel chaos sparked by drones flying into London’s Gatwick Airport in December, the budget airline said on Tuesday, adding it should serve as a “wake-up call” to airports. The …

London’s Heathrow Briefly Halts Flights After Drone Sighting

The Heathrow airport was partially shut for more than an hour after drone sightings near runways raised safety concerns, the second time in a month a London airport had to suspend flights because of dangers from modern-day gadgets. Departures were …

London’s Gatwick Airport Reopens After Drones Cause 36 Hours of Travel Chaos

London’s Gatwick Airport reopened on Friday after a saboteur wrought 36 hours of travel chaos for over a hundred thousand Christmas travelers by using drones to play cat-and-mouse with police snipers and the army. After the biggest disruption at Gatwick, …