Munich, 10th of April, 2024
ATOS Association applauds the adoption of the final package of secondary legislation by the European Commission focused on drones and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capable aircraft, which provides the comprehensive framework of rules enabling the launch of Innovative Air Mobility (IAM), including air taxi services.
The approved set of measures ensures the highest levels of safety and at the same time allows the introduction of new and diverse forms of air transportation.
The package is based on regulatory proposals from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), published in Opinion No 03/2023 in August 2023. The legislation introduces a comprehensive set of requirements for piloted electric air taxis, spanning the domains of Air Operations (Air OPS), Flight Crew Licensing (FCL), Standardised European Rules of the Air (SERA) and Air Traffic Management (ATM). It also establishes criteria and processes for the certification and maintenance of drones.
The package is the last legislative element required for the launch of air taxi services, complementing other existing legislation.
Air taxis will additionally require certification from EASA before such services can become operational in Europe.
Credit to: Lazar Iliev, ATOS Association Founding Member