The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has implemented the final phase of its unified drone regulation framework, replacing 27 different national rule sets with a single harmonized system. The regulations establish three operational categories — Open, Specific, and Certified — with clear requirements for each.
The Open category allows low-risk operations without prior authorization for drones under 25kg, while the Specific category requires operational risk assessments for more complex missions. The Certified category covers passenger-carrying and heavy cargo drone operations with airline-level safety standards.
Industry groups have welcomed the harmonization, noting it eliminates costly compliance variations when operating across borders. A new EU-wide digital platform enables operators to submit flight plans and receive authorizations valid across all member states within 24 hours.