Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of introducing a risk-based framework for Beyond Visual Line of Sight drone operations.

As Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations are not yet integrated with other airspace users, segregated airspace structures have been imposed to manage the safety risks of such operations. These operations adhere to key provisions of the Air Navigation Order 2016 to maintain aviation safety for other airspace users as well as the public.

My Department has worked closely with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to develop the ‘UK Specific Operational Risk Assessment’ (UK SORA), a BVLOS risk-based framework, which has been in place since April 2025.

This procedure is core to ensuring that the policies and approach are proportionate to the type of operation that a drone operator requires, thereby, protecting the public and enabling innovation.