UK CAA Greenlights Drone Trials for Deliveries and Infrastructure

Britain's Civil Aviation Authority has selected six projects, including Amazon's Prime Air, for drone testing in deliveries, infrastructure inspection, and emergency services. These trials, featuring advanced navigation technologies, aim to integrate drones into UK airspace safely and allow flights beyond visual line of sight.

Britain's aviation regulator has approved six projects to test drone use in deliveries, infrastructure inspection, and emergency services. Among the chosen projects is Amazon's Prime Air.

Currently, drones in the UK can only fly beyond the visual line of sight under strict trial conditions. The latest trials will allow selected projects to use advanced technologies for navigation, control, and aircraft detection.

Included in the trials are Amazon's drone delivery service, Airspection for offshore windfarm inspections, and Project Lifeline for medical supply deliveries. The Civil Aviation Authority aims to develop policies for safely integrating drones into UK airspace.

CAA director Sophie O'Sullivan called the trials a significant step forward. Amazon announced plans to start drone deliveries in Britain, Italy, and the US last year.

(With inputs from agencies.)