“The specific conditions for unmanned aircraft will distinguish them from other aircraft subject to strict requirements, so it will be easier to organise flights in the control zones of Vilnius, Kaunas, Palanga and Šiauliai aerodromes. This is particularly important for Vilnius as almost the entire territory of the city lies within the control zone of the international airport aerodrome and, at the same time, innovative projects are increasing in Vilnius to develop this sector,” says Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Julius Skačkauskas.
Unmanned aircraft flights are being facilitated not only because of the increasing need and interest in their use for various innovative projects, but also for the purpose of creating a safe environment for this activity and other air traffic participants.
The amended Aviation Law establishes that the maximum allowable height for unmanned aircraft flights in the control zone of the international airport aerodrome will be determined by the State Enterprise Oro navigacija, which provides air navigation services, and the flights of such aircraft above the maximum allowable height will only be allowed in coordination with the State Enterprise Oro navigacija.
Similar conditions and requirements for the flights of unmanned aircraft were previously established in the Rules for Operating Unmanned Aircraft approved by the Civil Aviation Administration in 2014. However, when the European Union Regulation regarding many aspects mentioned in these rules was adopted, the rules were repealed at the end of last year, and the users of unmanned aircraft were left with almost none of the simplified conditions to operate within the control zones of the aerodrome. The adopted amendments provide a solution to the issue.
Other amendments to the Aviation Law are directed at increasing flight and airport security, as well as facilitating aviation activities and enhancing cyber security, improving legal regulation of the flights of foreign aircraft, decreasing administrative and tax burden on the Lithuanian aviation business.
