The European Regions Airline Association (ERA), ECA, IATA, EHA, ACI Europe, IACA, A4E, IFALPA, IFATCA and CANSO have jointly requested a number of measures to be taken urgently in order to ensure safe drone operations and to maintain the high level of safety at EU level.

Drones have rapidly become popular and are being used for both commercial and recreational purposes. As a result of the increased use of drone, incidents and near misses between aircrfat and drones were reported and the number of incidents is growing fast. The use of drones without responsibility is a huge safety risk and it is not perceived at its real potential that leadiing to a joint Statement on behalf of the industry requesting:

• Extensive public capaign to raise awarness on the safety risks and safety aspects involved in the use of drones;
• Compulsory registration of all drones at the time of purchase or resale;
• Mandatory training and a certificate/licence fro drone pilots;
• Compliance with EU and national regulations;
• Built-in technical performance limitations such as geo-fencing and altitude/distance restrictions;
• In-depth research into the effects of collisions between drones and manned aircraft;
• Integration of recreational drones into national Model Aircraft Flying Regulations
• Increase in the effectiveness of rule enforcement by national authorities.