75 Companies Applied for a License to Operate Commercial Drone Flights in Jordan

SadaNews Economy - Seventy-five companies have applied for a license to operate commercial drone flights in Jordan, according to Captain Haitham Mesto, the head of the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission, who noted that the number is increasing.

Mesto delivered the first operating license for a commercial drone operator in Jordan to a company specializing in television production on Thursday, in line with the technical regulations issued by the commission based on the Civil Aviation Law No. (41) of 2007 and its amendments.

During his remarks on "Voice of the Kingdom" program, Mesto stated that the process of obtaining a license to operate commercial drone flights in Jordan takes less than a year.

He added that the commission began preparing legislation and regulations for commercial drones more than two years ago, describing drone aviation as "very important" in terms of economy, operations, technology, opportunities, and challenges.

Mesto confirmed that the commission is making steady progress in issuing licenses for drone operators according to national regulations and international standards, noting that the qualified staff is ready to carry out licensing, monitoring, and inspection operations.

He highlighted the presence of other companies in the process of completing the licensing procedures.

Mesto indicated that drone aviation is linked to military and security matters, not only in Jordan but globally, which has led to delays in guidelines and licensing procedures to obtain the best international standards for implementation in Jordan.

He explained that the Civil Aviation Law considers everything that flies to be under the umbrella of civil aviation, reflecting the commitment of countries to the international civil aviation convention signed by all 193 countries worldwide, including Jordan.

The uses of drones vary between security surveillance, inspecting infrastructure, monitoring agricultural crops and pesticide spraying, preparing maps, and geographic surveys, in addition to delivering parcels and cleaning buildings, as well as imaging for artistic production, advertising, and tourism marketing.

The importance of the drone aviation sector emerges as one of the promising areas for the national economy, offering new investment and operational opportunities, and potential to support digital and technological innovation, reducing the costs and time needed to complete tasks, and increasing effectiveness in providing services in various forms.

Mesto stated that licensed drones will be monitored via GPS devices to ensure they are used only for the purposes for which they were licensed.

He pointed out that the flight range will be a radius of 500 meters from the launch point, with plans to expand the range and monitoring mechanism later.

Mesto confirmed that the customs handling principles regarding drones will be discussed and determined in coordination with the relevant authorities.

Abdul Salam Abu Salma, the license holder for commercial drone operations, said that the total cost for obtaining a license to operate commercial drone flights in Jordan amounts to 6,000 - 7,000 Jordanian Dinars, in accordance with the technical regulations issued by the Civil Aviation Regulatory Commission based on the Civil Aviation Law No. (41) of 2007 and its amendments.

Abu Salma added during his remarks that the company imported 15 drones dedicated to television production, affirming that all the staff working at the company are Jordanian.