US FAA to propose rule on allowing expanded drone use

FAA to propose new rules for expanding drone deliveries

Robert Besser
20 Mar 2025, 09:59 GMT+10

US FAA to propose rule on allowing expanded drone use

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said last week that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is working on new rules to expand drone use for deliveries and other services
Last month, the Commercial Drone Alliance urged President Trump’s administration to introduce a rule allowing drones to operate beyond the operator’s direct sight
The group said this rule is critical for the industry’s growth and would replace the current slow and complicated approval process

SEATTLE/WASHINGTON D.C.: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said last week that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is working on new rules to expand drone use for deliveries and other services.

"We are developing a rule to give clear guidelines for companies making drones," Duffy said after visiting Amazon Prime Air's drone delivery headquarters in Seattle. He added that the FAA plans to release the proposal soon.

Last month, the Commercial Drone Alliance urged President Trump's administration to introduce a rule allowing drones to operate beyond the operator's direct sight. The group said this rule is critical for the industry's growth and would replace the current slow and complicated approval process.

Drone companies worry that unclear U.S. regulations could put them behind China in technology. Duffy warned that without clear rules, innovation would move to other countries, and the U.S. would have to rely on foreign technology for drone services like package and grocery deliveries.

In January, the Commerce Department under former President Biden said it was considering restrictions on Chinese drones due to national security risks. China currently dominates the U.S. commercial drone market, but Washington has been tightening regulations.

In December, Biden signed a law that could ban China-based drone makers DJI and Autel Robotics from selling new models in the U.S.