UK drone services at a commercial scale and flying taxis “could soon be a reality,” with the aviation minister today confirming over £20 million in funding to support this mission.

The new funding is being made to remove barriers to growth and maximise opportunities for better and cheaper public services, while also cutting carbon emissions.

It’s designed to advance new aviation technologies to support healthcare for the NHS, assist police forces, help to inspect and survey critical infrastructure, and unlock delivery services for businesses and communities across the UK.

Both the aviation minister, Miles Kane, and science minister, Lord Vallance, have set out how the Department for Transport (DfT), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), and the new Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) will streamline regulatory processes to support the commercialisation of the industry.

The RIO is looking to drive smarter regulation to “cut red tape” while ensuring high safety standards, supporting the DfT and CAA in enabling faster integration of drones and flying taxi industries.

This includes consulting on the mandatory use of electronic conspicuity standards and technologies, which allow aircraft to share their location electronically, helping drones and crewed aircraft fly safely alongside each other.

By making approvals quicker and operations more efficient, this will open new opportunities for the industry while maintaining the highest safety standards, the government said.

In addition, as previously confirmed by the chancellor, plans are now underway to simplify regulations to enable 2-year airspace change for drone operations, enabling operators to fly safely for longer and gather data to inform future services.

Other changes will simplify regulations to enable emergency services, including firefighters and paramedics, to use drone services, and streamlining the drone operational application process to enable them to get flying faster and easier.

Further, the regulator, drone operators, flying vehicle innovators, and local authorities will come together with government at the Future of Flight industry group to help guide the government on its mission to transform technology in aviation.

The group will focus on how to unlock the benefits of future aviation technologies, and how government can create a culture of innovation, with the aim of improving everyday challenges while cutting carbon emissions.

The funding will be divided between the CAA, receiving £16.5 million in 2025 to 2026, and the Future Flight Challenge, which will get up to £5 million.

Recommended reading

• NHS Lab Specimens Delivered by Drone in Scottish First
• Could “Pop-up” 5G Drones Transform Mountain Search and Rescue?
• UK’s First Drone Mail Service in Orkney Extended to 2026

Aviation minister Mike Kane commented: “I want the UK to have the most advanced aviation technology ecosystem in the world.

“That means creating a nimble regulatory environment and a culture of innovation so everyone can benefit from cutting-edge transport while tackling emissions, traffic and potentially saving lives.

“Our investment alongside the new Future of Flight industry group will bring together tech experts, drone operators, flying vehicle manufacturers and local communities to identify where change needs to happen.”