SOFIA, Bulgaria: The European Union has awarded the first operations certificate to allow drones to perform commercial deliveries by the end of 2022.
The certificate was granted to Bulgaria’s Dronamics, which said it anticipates that commercial drone deliveries will begin this year.
In an announcement this week, Dronamics said it had obtained the EU’s Light UAS Operator Certificate from civil aviation authorities in Malta. According to the EU, the certificate will be valid in all EU member states, allowing Dronamics to offer drone deliveries throughout the 27-nation bloc.
The certificate permits Dronamics’ Black Swan drone to carry up to 350 kg over distances of up to 2,500 km.
The drone industry touts the advantages of its air deliveries, claiming they are more efficient, faster, less expensive, and lower in carbon emissions.
“Becoming the first cargo drone company to obtain LUC certification is a huge milestone for us and validates years of hard work in developing our unique and market-leading solution,” said Sergio Oliveira e Silva, Dronamics chief operating officer. “With the support of such a sophisticated and technologically advanced regulator, and with Malta as our European operations base, we are well placed to progress our operations and start serving key routes across the Mediterranean later this year, and continue our future expansion so that we can achieve our mission to enable same-day delivery for everyone, everywhere.”
