Have Your Say: Help Shape the Future of Europe’s Drone Strategy
The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) has launched a public consultation on the revision of the EU Drone Strategy 2.0, and DIAS is encouraging organisations and individuals across the Swiss drone ecosystem to participate.
https://globaleysurvey.ey.com/jfe/form/SV_b8CoqtFSL332WKq
This is an important opportunity for Switzerland’s drone community to help influence the future direction of European drone policy.
What is the EU Drone Strategy 2.0?
The EU Drone Strategy 2.0, adopted by the European Commission in 2022, sets out Europe’s vision for developing a smart, safe, sustainable and competitive drone ecosystem through 2030.
The strategy looks well beyond individual drone regulations. It considers how drones can become routinely integrated into European airspace and the wider economy, supporting applications ranging from public safety, emergency response and infrastructure inspection to logistics, agriculture, environmental monitoring and advanced air mobility.
It also addresses some of the fundamental issues that will determine the future competitiveness of the European drone sector, including:
- Safe integration of drones into European airspace
- U-space and increasingly automated drone operations
- BVLOS and complex operations
- Harmonisation of regulation across Europe
- Digitalisation and automation
- Security, cybersecurity and resilience
- European technological and industrial capabilities
- Civil, security and defence synergies
- Research, innovation and skills
- Public acceptance, privacy, noise and sustainability
The European Commission is now reviewing the strategy to determine what has worked, what needs to change and where European policy should focus next.
Why does this matter for Switzerland?
Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, but our drone ecosystem is closely connected to the European aviation framework and market.
Through the EU–Switzerland aviation relationship, developments in European aviation regulation can have a direct impact on Swiss operators, manufacturers, software companies, service providers, public authorities and research organisations.
At the same time, Switzerland has developed one of Europe’s most innovative drone ecosystems. Swiss companies and institutions are active across aircraft manufacturing, autonomy, software, U-space, public safety, infrastructure, robotics, research and advanced drone operations.
It is therefore important that the Swiss perspective is represented as Europe decides what comes next.
Issues such as regulatory harmonisation, cross-border operations, BVLOS, U-space implementation, certification, data and cybersecurity requirements, technological sovereignty and access to the European market can have significant implications for Swiss organisations.
The consultation gives our ecosystem an opportunity to explain where the current framework works well — but equally importantly, where regulation or policy may be creating unnecessary barriers to innovation and commercial deployment.
Switzerland already has a voice – but industry participation matters
The Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) is actively participating in the process.
FOCA has already held discussions with the European Commission regarding Switzerland’s priorities for the revised Drone Strategy, and Switzerland will also be represented in the expert group supporting the revision.
This provides an important channel for Swiss interests.
However, government representation alone cannot capture the full diversity of experience within our ecosystem.
Drone operators, manufacturers, software companies, public-safety organisations, infrastructure operators, universities, researchers and other industry stakeholders experience the opportunities and challenges of the European drone framework every day.
The stronger the participation from the Swiss ecosystem, the clearer that message becomes.
DIAS encourages members to participate
As the Drone Industry Association Switzerland (DIAS), one of our priorities is to ensure that the experience and expertise of the Swiss drone ecosystem are represented in discussions that will shape our industry’s future.
We therefore strongly encourage all DIAS members and other Swiss drone stakeholders to complete the European Commission consultation.
Consider not only today’s challenges, but what will be required for a thriving European and Swiss drone ecosystem over the coming years.
Where should regulation become simpler? What is preventing operations from scaling? How can Europe accelerate innovation while maintaining safety? How should Europe approach technological sovereignty and international competition? What is required to make BVLOS and automated operations commercially viable? And how can Switzerland continue to participate effectively within the wider European drone ecosystem?
These are precisely the kinds of questions where practical industry experience matters.
Have your say
The next phase of European drone policy is being shaped now.
Switzerland has a highly innovative and internationally respected drone ecosystem. We should make sure its voice is heard.
👉 DIAS encourages every member of the Swiss drone community to take part in the EU Drone Strategy consultation and share their experience, priorities and recommendations with the European Commission.
https://globaleysurvey.ey.com/jfe/form/SV_b8CoqtFSL332WKq
Have your say and help shape the future of drones in Europe.
