Drone deliveries inch closer as FAA unveils plan to clear the skies for beyond-line-of-sight flights
August 8, 2025
The US government has unveiled a major regulatory overhaul aimed at accelerating commercial drone delivery operations while addressing growing safety concerns in increasingly congested airspace.
On 5 August, US Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced Part 108, a proposed Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rule that would transform how businesses obtain permission to fly drones beyond the pilot’s visual line of sight (BVLOS).
The new framework would replace the current waiver-based approach, which many in the industry say has stifled innovation.
“In the past, drone operators had to apply for waivers on a case-by-case basis,” Duffy said. “Because of that complication, I don’t think we saw the innovation we should have in America.”
The FAA’s proposed BVLOS drone rules
Under the proposal, commercial drone operators would gain FAA certification, similar to how manned aviation is regulated, permitting them to fly drones up to 400 feet above ground level from designated launch and recovery sites.
Certified flights would be required to use remote identification and collision avoidance technology, while third-party Approved Drone Service Providers would oversee airspace coordination and flight monitoring.
Operators will also undergo security vetting, while an FAA-approved third party, called an Approved Drone Service Provider, will monitor flights and manage low-altitude airspace.
These new rules for BVLOS operations are seen as essential for a safe and efficient integration of unmanned capabilities into the skies.
Operators will also be subject to security vetting, with the Transportation Security Administration tasked with ensuring background checks are conducted for key personnel.
Unlocking innovation in the drone sector, safely
The move has been welcomed by industry stakeholders who have long argued that outdated or piecemeal rules have stifled growth in the US drone sector.
“Drone operators must navigate a labyrinth of ill-suited regulations designed for crude aircraft, placing an artificial ceiling on innovation and hampering progress,” says Lisa Ellman, CEO of the Commercial Drone Alliance. “This proposal promises to unlock the benefits of commercial drone technology by standardising safety requirements and reducing costly approvals.”
The FAA’s proposal draws on extensive data from its BEYOND programme, which logged over 70,000 drone flights. Around 70% of these involved BVLOS operations, providing vital data on risk and technical safeguards.
“The near-collision between a firefighting plane and a drone over Los Angeles earlier this year shows why this proposal is necessary,” FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated.
The Air Line Pilots Association echoed the need for vigilance, emphasising that all airspace users must be equipped with real-time surveillance, communication, and collision-avoidance systems.
BVLOS drone operations will benefit everyone, from Amazon to air rescue
If adopted, Part 108 could unlock wide-scale drone use in e-commerce, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure. Amazon, which aims to deliver 500 million packages annually by 2030, has resumed drone testing in Texas and Arizona following earlier technical delays.
UPS Flight Forward and Zipline, already operating under limited exemptions, are positioned to scale up medical deliveries, including blood and vaccines. Retailers such as Walmart and Starbucks are also eyeing drone delivery to extend same-day logistics capabilities.
Public agencies stand to benefit too, with applications in emergency response, disaster monitoring, and critical infrastructure inspection.
But expanding drone operations will also require new enforcement tools. A recent FAA-commissioned study by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University found thousands of drones operating above legal altitude limits and overlapping with manned aircraft airspace.
“Many unauthorised flights are recreational,” said Dr Ryan Wallace, lead investigator. “This increases collision risks and highlights the need for clear, enforceable regulations.”
The study used Remote ID data to monitor drone behaviour in real-world settings, underscoring the importance of formalising operator certification and oversight.
But the first step is the approval of the proposal, which will now enter a 60-day public comment period. A final rule is expected by 2026.
