The European Regions Airline Association (ERA) expresses concern about drones in European airspace, saying that the increased use of drones and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) is threatening aircraft safety and needs better regulation and control.

A RPAS and a commerical aircraft nearly miss colliding into each other. “Recent near misses between RPAS and commercial aircraft illustrate why swift action must be taken to protect Europe’s passengers, crews and residents through better regulation of European airspace with regards to RPAS,” says Simon McNamara, director general of the ERA.

In July, there were two near-misses, one between an RPAS and a commercial aircraft on its approach to Warsaw International Airport and another between an RPAS and an A-320 on its final approach to Heathrow Airport, he says.

“Worryingly, only some EU member states have regulations for the flying of smaller RPAS in place,” he says. “With a dramatic increase in the use and commercialization of RPAS, European aviation needs to act now to harmonize standards and rules across the region".

Currently, RPAS that weigh less than 150kg are regulated by some states. The European Aviation Safety Agency regulates drones that weigh more than 150kg. However, the ERA says even those smaller drones pose a hazard to commercial aircraft.

“Europe needs urgent measures to safeguard its airspace and incorporate RPAS operations into commercial airspace," says McNamara.

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