Drone activity in Dubai to be regulated

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has issued a new law to help boost the business of drones.

The law aims to reduce risks associated with drone activity and specifies the duties and responsibilities of relevant authorities. It will also help promote Dubai as a hub for drone manufacturing, smart transportation and innovation in the sector and enable public and private entities to use drones and provide drone-related services.

Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) will oversee all drone related operations and activities. The aviation body will monitor and control all drone activity in their designated airspace, and issue rules and regulations regarding permits and trials.

Dubai Air Navigation Services will set up the airspace within which drones can operate in order to support DCAA in monitoring drone activity. It will also provide air traffic movement and meteorological information to drone operators so that they can operate safely.

Meanwhile, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects has the task of setting out the specifications, standards and conditions for ‘Drone Airports’ and present them to the DCAA for approval.

While, Dubai Police will manage all the security aspects of drone activity. it will ensure that security measures are in place to prevent the illegal use of drones and crimes committed by using drones.

Anyone operating a drone will need a licence from the civil aviation authority. Also, operators are required to obtain an operational safety certificate.