Asia-Pacific region adopts reference materials for the regulation of air taxis and drones

On 14 July, civil aviation authorities from the Asia-Pacific region launched the “Reference Materials for Regulators to Facilitate the Regulation of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Operations” at the 2nd Meeting of Asia-Pacific Regulators on AAM at the High-Level Aviation Week in Singapore. The Reference Materials, jointly developed by 24 Asia-Pacific States and Administrations, will help support industry development, accelerate safe adoption and reduce regulatory risk and cost.

This is the first time, and the Asia-Pacific is the first region within which, regulators have come together to jointly develop a set of Reference Materials which regulators can consider, adapt, and use to prepare for and facilitate commercial operations of air taxis and drones. Besides adoption in the Asia-Pacific region, the group will also submit the Reference Materials to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) for reference for global adoption. In response to industry feedback, the Reference Materials will be regularly updated to address even newer technologies and operational concepts.