Dronamics establishes first European operational base in Malta

Cargo drone developer and operator Dronamics has selected Malta as its first European operational base for same-day, middle-mile drone operations expected to begin in 2022. [caption id="attachment_95246" align="alignright" width="450"] (Photo/Dronamics)[/caption] Dronamics’ first commercial cargo routes will connect Malta to Italy with the company’s Black Swan drones, followed by other Mediterranean destinations and eventually the rest of Europe, according to today’s announcement. “We aim to connect Malta first with Italy where the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) has established testbed airports for remotely pilot aircraft system trials,” said Sergio Oliveira e Silva, Chief Operating Officer of Dronamics. “Transport Malta and the Civil Aviation Directorate have given us a clear path to establishing our first commercial routes and we aim to do the first demonstration flights in 2022.” Dronamics transitioned its business model in April from a focus on equipment development and sales to operating its drones as a service under the new Dronamics Airlines brand. The company has since announced partnerships for middle-mile European drone operations with Hellmann Worldwide Logistics and DHL , to commence in 2022. The drone company’s move to establish a base in Malta follows similar moves from several ACMI and charter freighter operators to set up affiliates there, including U.K.-based Titan Airways , Latvia-based SmartLynx and, in the past month, Air Atlanta Icelandic’s affiliate carrier Air Atlanta Europe , as reported by our sister publication Cargo Facts . “Malta applies clear EASA regulations with practically no ‘local flavor,’” Charles Pace, director general for civil aviation at Transport Malta, told Air Cargo World regarding the uptick in cargo operator interest in Malta. “This makes it very easy for companies to understand and apply uniformity. There are no surprises or additional obstacles. Our common use of the English language and the fact that all laws are in English help attract operators.” Malta’s government has “made aviation a key interest area” that has led to the increase in aviation-related businesses, and law and accountancy firms supporting the industry, based in the nation over the past six years, Pace added. “Malta today has so many different elements like MROs, paint shops, AOCs [air operator certificates], Part 147 [organizations], CCTOs [cabin crew training organizations], ATOs [air traffic organizations] and now drones.”

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Dronamics establishes first European operational base in Malta

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