ACI releases policy paper to help airports respond to the rapid growth in drone use

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Airports Council International (ACI) World has announced the launch of its policy paper on drones that will provide “informed and practical recommendations” for airports in view of the rapid growth of the drone and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) market worldwide.

The policy paper on drones was drafted, according to ACI World, “to establish policies to guide ACI and its members and establish a global airport position with industry and regulatory bodies in the development and application of regulations and standards for the safe operation of drones at or in the vicinity of its member’s airports.”

The term drone, the paper adds, is used in a very wide sense to cover all unmanned remotely piloted or autonomously piloted aircraft.

Drone operations are expected to soon surpass the number of manned aircraft operations, and airport operators have a vested interest in the development of regulations and standards that determine how drones will be integrated into the aviation system, said ACI World.

To aid this process, the ACI World Safety and Technical Standing Committee, on the request of the ACI World Governing Board, developed a comprehensive policy paper, following on from the ACI advisory bulletin on drones and RPAS issued in 2016.

The policy document aims to ensure that useful drone operations are facilitated without negative impact to the safety, security, efficiency, or capacity of airport operations, said ACI.

Key policy statements and recommendations cover a number of areas, including the interface on drones of airports’ air traffic management systems, drone standards, drone enforcement, drone identification and tracking, drone operations in and around airports, and training for airport staff.

There is also a section dedicated to the security risks posed by drones and recommendations to contain them.

The policy paper calls for a risk-based approach and will help airports address a growing area of concern, said the council. The policy will be reviewed and updated regularly, acknowledging that technology and operational requirements in this area develop rapidly.

“It is imperative that airport operators are aware of, and remain responsive to, the risks, challenges, and opportunities associated with new technology and new industry developments,” said Angela Gittens, director general of ACI World.

“We have drafted this policy paper in response to the rapid development and proliferation of drones to help airports and governments prepare effective procedures and regulations to ensure continuing safe operations.

“With the support of our comprehensive overview and practical recommendations, airport operators can be informed and active in decision making with their regulators and aircraft operators to develop and publish procedures that suit their local conditions.”

ACI, the trade association of the world’s airports, was founded in 1991 with the objective of fostering cooperation among its member airports and other partners in world aviation, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Air Transport Association, and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization.

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