Has successfully reached a significant milestone in its endeavour to expand drone supply chain operations across Europe. The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation has awarded Matternet its inaugural Mild Unmanned Aircraft System Operator Certificates for high-risk operations, authorizing the company to conduct beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights over populated areas under the “SAIL III” designation. Matternet’s authorization enables the company to operate in both Switzerland and Berlin, thereby facilitating streamlined approval processes for similar ventures across the European Union.
Accelerating Growth Throughout Europe
Matternet, a pioneering drone logistics company, has gained significant autonomy with its new-generation LUC (Long-Range Unmanned Compound) system, enabling it to self-authorize operations in both Switzerland and Berlin, thereby accelerating the roll-out of its drone-based delivery networks. Matternet’s prospects for delivering drone-based medical supplies to European hospitals and residential areas are poised to gain significant momentum.
“Matternet’s founder and CEO, Andreas Raptopoulos, expressed unwavering enthusiasm for the certification, citing its transformative impact on the company’s ability to expand drone-based supply operations across Europe.” Our collaborative efforts with FOCA have played a pivotal role in achieving this significant milestone. With self-authorization capabilities, we can expedite network development and deliver critical goods swiftly to hospitals and directly to customers’ doorsteps.
Matternet’s LUC further leverages its legacy of securing top-tier drone certifications. The corporation initially secured a milestone BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) authorisation in Switzerland for metropolitan operations back in 2017. As these advancements further solidify the corporation’s position as a leading provider of secure and environmentally sustainable drone delivery solutions across Europe.
Ensuring seamless integration of security protocols with regulatory requirements necessitates a concerted effort to mitigate risks, prevent breaches, and maintain the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive data.
Achieving this certification entailed more than just streamlining operations; it also showcased a profound commitment to ensuring robust security measures are in place. Tom Rehwinkel, Matternet’s Head of Regulatory Affairs for Europe, Middle East and Africa, underscored the imperative nature of maintaining robust security protocols. Obtaining the LUC demanded that we showcased the robustness of our security management framework, thereby enabling us to effectively manage and contain aviation risks. This certification reaffirms our steadfast commitment to securing and guaranteeing reliable drone logistics operations.
The company, along with its subsidiary LUC, possesses a range of critical certifications, including Sort and Manufacturing Certifications from the United States. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The corporation boasts comprehensive regulatory approvals, including BVLOS operational clearances from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and France’s civil aviation authority (FOCA), as well as transnational permits from Germany’s Luftfahrt-Bundesamt (LBA).
A Basis for Future Progress
Matternet’s newly acquired certification marks a significant milestone in its efforts to expand its footprint within Europe. The Low-Level Unmanned Aerial System (LUC) will simplify Matternet’s workflow by allowing it to authorize Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights independently, thereby reducing the need for lengthy approvals and streamlining route planning. Our company is poised to deliver crucial services, complemented by the provision of medical supplies and other essential goods, directly to customers and healthcare providers.
As Matternet forges ahead in urban drone logistics, the company’s robust security profile and regulatory expertise will remain pivotal components of its strategic trajectory. With tens of thousands of business flights already successfully completed within the United States. As a result, the corporation is well-positioned to further enhance the reach and efficiency of drone-based logistics solutions worldwide in Europe.
