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Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
Media Release

CAAS Seeks Industry Feedback On Asia-Pacific Reference Materials To Facilitate Operations Of Drones And Air Taxis

2 April 2025

The Reference Materials, jointly developed by 24 Asia-Pacific States and Administrations, will help reduce regulatory cost and risk to investments, support industry development and accelerate safe adoption 

           24 Asia-Pacific States and Administrations have jointly developed a set of Reference Materials on advanced air mobility (AAM) for civil aviation authorities in the Asia-Pacific region to facilitate operations of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The list of States and Administrations is attached at Annex A (opens in new tab). CAAS is seeking industry feedback on the Reference Materials from 2 April to 23 April 2025 before its adoption and publication in July 2025. The feedback received will be considered in the finalisation of the AAM Reference Materials.

2          The Reference Materials cover six key areas for eVTOL aircraft, namely: a) certification, validation, and acceptance of eVTOL aircraft; b) regulations for eVTOL aircraft Entry into Service (EIS); c) cooperation among national agencies; d) economic policies and regulation; e) capability building and f) social acceptance; and two areas of UAS, namely: i) technical guidance for implementation of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) UAS operations; and ii) capability building (personnel training). The Reference Materials bring together the knowledge and best practices of the participating States and Administrations, to support the timely development of fit-for-purpose regulations for these emerging technologies and facilitate alignment and streamline regulatory processes across States of Design including Brazil, China, the European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, States of Registry, States of the Operator and States of the Aerodrome within the Asia-Pacific region.

3          For regulators, the Reference Materials will help them develop regulations that keep pace with the rapid development and deployment of new technologies to leverage their benefits for economies and societies while ensuring aviation and public safety and security. For industry, the Reference Materials will facilitate technology development and adoption, support industry development and reduce regulatory uncertainty, cost and risk to investments in eVTOL aircraft and UAS.

4          eVTOL aircraft and UAS have seen rapid growth and wide application around the world in the last few years. This is the first time regulators have come together to jointly develop a set of Reference Materials which regulators can consider, adapt, and use to prepare for and facilitate commercial operations of eVTOL aircraft and UAS, in their respective States and Administrations, with Asia-Pacific as the first region to do so. 

5          The development of the Reference Materials was an outcome of the inaugural Meeting of Asia-Pacific Regulators on AAM and UAS convened and hosted by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) in Singapore in November 2023. An overview of the Reference Materials is attached at Annex B (opens in new tab). The draft Reference Materials for industry consultation are attached at Annex C (opens in new tab).

6         Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General of CAAS, said: “The aviation landscape is changing rapidly with the emergence of new technologies and operational concepts involving multiple stakeholders and non-traditional stakeholders to the aviation industry.  The Reference Materials are a good example of how collaboration amongst regulators and between regulators and industry is key to unlocking the full potential of technology to benefit our economies and societies. By pooling expertise and perspectives across States performing different regulatory functions along the entire eVTOL aircraft and UAS value chains, and engaging industry, we ensure the robustness, practicality and relevance of this resource.” 

7          We welcome valuable insights from our industry partners. Interested eVTOL aircraft and UAS companies (manufacturers, operators, and infrastructure developers) and institutes who wish to find out more about the consultation or provide feedback on the Reference Materials may write to caas_usg@caas.gov.sg (opens in new tab).  

 About the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
The mission of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is to grow a safe, vibrant air hub and civil aviation system, making a key contribution to Singapore's success. CAAS' roles are to oversee and promote safety in the aviation industry, develop the air hub and aviation industry, provide air navigation services, provide aviation training for human resource development, and contribute to the development of international civil aviation. For more information, visit www.caas.gov.sg (opens in new tab)  

For media queries, please contact: 

Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
Email: caas_corporate_communications@caas.gov.sg (opens in new tab)