Starting November 26, there will be more space to fly drones at a safe distance from airports. With the introduction of geozoning, various areas will be designated within civil Control Zones (CTRs) around airports for drone flights. This will create more opportunities for drone flights in locations where it is safe to do so.
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Currently, drone flights within a Control Zone (CTR)—the controlled airspace surrounding an airport—are only permitted under specific conditions and with approval from air traffic control. The new geozoning changes that. The new classification applies to the civil CTRs of Schiphol, Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Lelystad Airport, Maastricht Aachen Airport, and Groningen Airport Eelde. Nothing changes for military airports.
Within these areas, there will be different zones, each with conditions tailored to the risk posed to manned aviation. As a result, drone pilots will be able to fly in certain zones without prior authorization from air traffic control. Closer to airports and takeoff and landing routes, stricter conditions will continue to apply. The new classification was developed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and LVNL.
Drones are increasingly being used for inspections and surveillance, as well as for public service tasks carried out by the police, fire department, and customs, among others. As a result, the demand for airspace is growing.
The number of drone applications is growing rapidly. Geozoning helps us organize airspace more intelligently, so that drones and manned aircraft can operate safely alongside one another. This marks an important step toward the further integration of drones into Dutch airspace, with safety always being the top priority.
Joost Meijs CEO LVNL
The new geozones will be visible in the GoDrone app on November 26. Drone operators can use the app to see which zone they are flying in. For the rules and conditions that apply within a geozone, they can visit [link: rijksoverheid.nl/drones]. For areas where LVNL is responsible for air traffic services, information on the conditions for flying there - such as submitting a mission plan and obtaining any necessary authorization from air traffic control, can be found via LVNL and GoDrone.