Skyports Obtains Light UAS Operator Certificate

Skyports, the world-leading operator of cargo drone deliveries and advanced air mobility (AAM) infrastructure, has obtained a Light UAS Operator Certificate from the Irish Aviation Authority, permitting the self-authorisation of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone flights. This is the first such certificate issued by an EU regulator.

The LUC is recognised in all European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) member countries, allowing UAS operators to conduct flights without first submitting a declaration or obtaining authorisation from aviation authorities beforehand.  Skyports is one of a handful of drone operators globally that have been granted the certification to date after demonstrating to the regulator that as an organisation it is capable of assessing the risk of an operation itself.

As an LUC holder, Skyports will be able to expand its proven drone delivery service within the medical, maritime and logistics sectors across Europe, building on recent high-profile successes most notably in the UK.

Skyports’ drone delivery services have experienced great success in the UK and other locations. Projects include the UK’s first COVID-19 test drone delivery service in Scotland with the NHS as well as the operation of an inter-island medical drone delivery service between the Isles of Scilly for Royal Mail.

In preparation of its application for the LUC, Skyports worked with Julie Garland, chief executive of Ireland-based Avtrain, one of Europe’s leading drone training and certification organisations, who provided support on the documentation and provided EASA certification of Skyports’ pilots.