EASA delivers solution to enable sharing of drone registration data across Europe

Last week, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has delivered a digitalised system for the exchange of drones registration data among the national authorities of the Member States. This system establishes a technical framework that allows registered users to fly their drones anywhere in the EU with a single registration. Registering with their national aviation authorities will become mandatory for drone users starting December 31, 2020. On this date, in fact, the European regulation on drones (EU) 2019/947 will take effect.
This new system will make it easier for aviation authorities to know who is using drones and for what purpose. This is especially important as drones are entering busy urban environments more and more.

In the words of EASA Executive Director, Patrick Ky:

We want to make this process as straightforward as possible for the users. The repository allows information registered with one authority to be shared with others, creating the basis for seamless drone usage across the European Union without the need to register in separate Member States.

EASA launched the solution on October 15, 2020. It is a broker system based on open web technologies and secured standards. The system will act as a hub, facilitating the transfer of information between the Member States through the Agency. In parallel, it will serve to test a larger project to create a fully centralised database of information at EASA. Thus, it will provide the basis for more effective cooperation between EASA and its Member States on certification, oversight, and enforcement. This database will work as repository for certificates, approvals, licences, declarations, and transfers of responsibilities in addition to the drones registration data. It is due to be launched in increments between mid-2022 and end-2024.

About EASA

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is the centrepiece of the European Union’s strategy for aviation safety. Its mission is to promote and achieve the highest common standards of safety and environmental protection in civil aviation. Based in Cologne, the Agency employs experts and administrators from all over Europe.