The New EU Policy on Civil Drones: A Paradigm Shift for European Airspace

The proliferation of civil drones for professional and private use across Europe has motivated the European Commission to propose a new EU policy framework to overcome the previous, fragmented regulatory landscape. This policy constitutes a paradigm shift in the European airspace, calling for an EU single drone market and drone ecosystem. This push for European integration on an emerging, fast-evolving, disruptive and dual-use technology sector holds promise in terms of innovation, economic growth and job creation. At the same time, however, societal concerns have shaped the debate on drone use, leading to demands for a comprehensive review of safety, security, liability, privacy, and environmental issues. This policy brief examines key components and drivers of this new EU policy.