As drone technology matures, critical infrastructure operators are increasingly turning to uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) to monitor assets, improve operational efficiency, and enhance safety. From linear infrastructure like railways and highways to complex environments like ports, industrial zones, and renewable energy sites, drones have become indispensable tools. And as the technology evolves, so do the deployment models, shifting from manually piloted flights to fully automated Drone-in-a-Box (DiaB) systems.

But with this evolution come challenges: especially around airspace integration, regulatory constraints, and operational scalability. In this blog, we explore the growing role of drones in infrastructure monitoring, the move toward remote and automated systems, and the regulatory landscape that public and private operators must navigate.

From Manual Missions to Drone-in-a-Box

Traditionally, infrastructure inspections have relied on manual drone operations where a remote pilot physically travels to the site, launches the drone, collects visual data, and returns for processing. While effective in many cases, this model is labor-intensive and limits scalability.

The emergence of Drone-in-a-Box solutions such as DJI Dock has fundamentally changed this. These systems allow for fully automated flights, scheduled or triggered remotely, without requiring on-site personnel. Once installed at key infrastructure points, they can:

• Launch on pre-programmed routes or emergency triggers

• Capture high-resolution visual, thermal, or multispectral data

• Return to base, recharge, and be ready for the next mission

• Upload data automatically for processing or AI-based analysis

The result: faster, safer, and more consistent monitoring with minimal human intervention.

Public vs. Civil Applications

The use of drones in infrastructure monitoring spans both public sector authorities and private sector industries:

Public Applications

• Road and rail operators: Routine inspections of bridges, embankments, tunnels, and slopes

• Waterway managers: Monitoring of dikes, canals, sluices, and flood barriers

• Port authorities: Overseeing quay walls, vessel traffic, and perimeter security

• Municipalities and provinces: Urban infrastructure mapping and maintenance planning

Civil Applications

• Industrial inspections: Tank farms, pipelines, transmission towers, and factories

• Renewable energy: Monitoring of solar parks, wind turbines, and grid connections

• Construction: Progress tracking, volumetric analysis, and site safety assessments

• Utilities: Power lines, substations, and telecom mast monitoring

In all these domains, drones offer a safer, faster, and more cost-effective alternative to manned inspections or ground patrols.

Regulatory Challenges: BVLOS as a Limiting Factor

To unlock the full potential of DiaB systems, especially for remote or large-scale operations, flying Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) is essential. However, the regulatory requirements for BVLOS operations - particularly in the Specific category under EASA regulations - remain a barrier for many commercial operators.

Operators must conduct a Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA), implement safety mitigations, and receive operational authorization from their national aviation authority. Key challenges include:

• Lack of harmonised Detect and Avoid (DAA) standards for unmanned traffic

• Requirement to operate in atypical or segregated airspace unless DAA is implemented

• Limitations on airspace access for commercial operators, especially in complex environments

This often means that public/state entities - such as road agencies or port authorities - may benefit from looser regulatory requirements. In some EU Member States, public authorities can perform BVLOS operations with greater freedom due to their state actor status. In contrast, civil/commercial operators must comply with the full set of operational mitigations.

The Role of AirHub

At AirHub, we support infrastructure managers and operators on both sides of this divide - public and private - with a combination of consultancy and software:

AirHub Consultancy

• Supporting clients with SORA applications and airspace strategy

• Drafting operations manuals, emergency response plans, and checklists

• Advising on regulatory pathways for BVLOS operations, including DAA strategies

• Coordinating with authorities to enable integration into urban or sensitive environments

AirHub Software

• Mission planning and real-time operations through our Drone Operations Center (DOC)

• Integration with Drone-in-a-Box systems like DJI Dock

• Automated checklists, maintenance tracking, and regulatory documentation

• Real-time airspace visibility, including ATC zones and U-space integration

• Overlay tools for asset mapping, terrain awareness, and proximity to sensitive zones

Whether you are a public infrastructure agency planning a corridor for automated flights or an industrial operator looking to scale your inspection program, AirHub enables you to do so legally, efficiently, and safely.

Final Thoughts

Drones are no longer experimental tools, they are fast becoming core components in the digital transformation of infrastructure management. The shift from manual to automated, from visual line-of-sight to remote operations, is happening now. But to scale these benefits, operators must navigate a complex mix of technology, regulation, and operational planning.

If your organisation is exploring the use of drones or Drone-in-a-Box systems for critical infrastructure monitoring, our team at AirHub is here to support you every step of the way - from regulatory approvals to operational deployment.