Drone regulation is moving fast. March brought a mix of usability improvements, international cooperation efforts, and continued progress in advanced air mobility and unmanned traffic management integration. From EASA enhancing access to regulatory material to new consultations on SORA adaptations and pilot licensing, here are the key developments shaping drone operations worldwide.

EMEA

EASA enhances Easy Access Rules platform EASA has upgraded its Easy Access Rules platform with improved navigation, faster access, and permanent links, making it easier for stakeholders to work with regulatory content and stay compliant.

ENAC showcases drone ecosystem at Dronitaly 2026 At Dronitaly 2026, ENAC highlighted Italy's vision for balancing innovation, safety, and regulation in the drone sector, reinforcing its role in shaping future air mobility.

Ghana advances UTM integration discussions The Ghana Civil Aviation Authority hosted a strategic engagement session focused on the feasibility of unmanned traffic management (UTM) integration, reflecting growing global momentum toward structured drone traffic management.

Americas

FAA announces new initiatives for future aviation The FAA and US Department of Transportation introduced a set of new initiatives aimed at accelerating innovation in aviation, including uncrewed systems and advanced air mobility (AAM).

Brazil opens consultation on eVTOL pilot licensing ANAC has launched a public consultation on licensing requirements for pilots of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, signalling continued progress toward operational AAM frameworks.

Chile imposes temporary drone restrictions for FIDAE 2026 Chile's DGAC announced flight restrictions for drones during the FIDAE 2026 airshow, ensuring safe coordination between UAS and manned aviation activities.

Colombia strengthens aviation infrastructure with new technology Colombia is investing in advanced aviation technologies to enhance safety and regional connectivity, including the integration of modern systems relevant for drone operations.

Asia-Pacific

Japan continues development of UAS regulatory framework Japan's MLIT published further updates on its drone regulatory framework, supporting expanded operations and integration into national airspace.

Australia consults on AUS SORA advisory circular CASA has opened consultation on a draft advisory circular for AUS SORA, adapting the European SORA methodology to the Australian regulatory context.

CASA publishes March RPAS update The March RPAS newsletter includes updates on regulatory developments, safety initiatives, and upcoming changes affecting drone operators in Australia.

RPAS in Australian Skies 2026 conference announced CASA highlighted key themes for the upcoming RPAS in Australian Skies conference, focusing on integration, safety, and innovation.

CASA summarises consultation on large drone maintenance approvals CASA released a summary of consultation feedback on improving maintenance approval processes for large drones, supporting scalable operations.

Standardisation

ASTM and JEDA advance drone standardisation efforts ASTM and JEDA have strengthened collaboration on drone standards, supporting global harmonisation and interoperability in the UAS ecosystem.

What this means for operators

March reinforced three trends that are shaping the regulatory landscape for drone operations: a growing focus on making existing frameworks more accessible and usable, continued regional adaptation of methodologies like SORA, and accelerating progress on UTM and AAM integration across all major markets.

For organisations operating drones in complex environments, staying ahead of these developments is part of running a compliant and scalable operation.

AirHub tracks regulatory changes across Europe and beyond to help operators understand what is relevant for their missions. For regulatory guidance and consultancy, visit airhub.app/consultancy, or book a demo to see how our platform supports compliant drone operations.