Amendments to the Aviation Act concerning air navigation obstacles and the use of drones

On 16 February 2023, the President of the Republic approved amendments to the Aviation Act, the Act on Transport Services and the Territorial Surveillance Act. In future, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency can establish an airspace where unmanned aircraft, i.e. drones, could be operated in a more controlled manner with the support of different services. The permission process for air navigation obstacles will also be amended. In addition, there will be some minor amendments to the Aviation Act, the Act on Transport Services and the Territorial Surveillance Act. The legislative amendments will enter into force on 20 February 2023.

Little regulation currently exists on the airspace for unmanned aviation. However, the increasing number of drones has made comprehensive regulation necessary. The regulation aims to ensure aviation safety while enabling the operation of manned and unmanned aircraft side by side.

Transport and Communications Agency can establish a common airspace for drones and manned aircraft

The legislative amendment will implement the European Commission's U-space regulations. U-space means an airspace where both unmanned aircraft, or drones, and manned aircraft can be safely operated. Under the regulations, one or more U-space service providers, which offer services such as flight authorisations and a geo-awareness service for unmanned aircraft systems, and a common information service provider operate in the U-space airspace.

Under the Act, the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency will be allowed to establish a U-space airspace for a maximum period of three years. A U-space service provider can be designated by a government decision to provide the common information services on an exclusive basis for those flying in one or more U-space airspaces. Alternatively, the provision of common information could make use of the information from existing service providers, in which case the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency or a service provider authorised by it would be responsible for the provision. The Agency will issue regulations on which information the service providers should make available to U-space users.

Services concerning air navigation obstacles to be streamlined

An air navigation obstacle means a structure or equipment that may interfere with or endanger flight safety. In future, a statement by the air traffic service provider will no longer be required when applying for a permission for an air navigation obstacle.

A provision on maintaining a register of air navigation barriers and on the possibility of outsourcing the keeping of the register will be added to the Aviation Act. Currently Fintraffic Air Navigation Services Ltd maintains the register of air navigation obstacles.

Next steps

The legislative amendments will enter into force on 20 February 2023. Regulation on the process of granting permissions for air navigation obstacles will enter into force on 1 October 2023.

Inquiries:

Iida Huhtanen, Senior Officer, Legal Affairs, tel. +358 295 342 613, [email protected]