Written Reply to Parliamentary Question on Trend of Unmanned Aircraft Activity Permits Issued Annually in Past Three Years and Update on Review of Height Limit for Drone Aerial Activities

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Transport

a.     how many unmanned aircraft activity permits are issued annually in the past three years; 

b.     whether there has been a rising trend; and

c.     when will the review for the height limit for drone aerial activities be completed.

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran:

1.     The number of unmanned aircraft (UA) activity permits issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) in the last three calendar years are: (i) 2,174 in 2020, (ii) 2,837 in 2021, and (iii) 2,902 from January to October 2022. The number of activity permits issued from January to October 2022 is also the highest within a single year, since the introduction of the regime in 2015.

2.     Besides the restrictions within five kilometres of all aerodromes, CAAS also imposes a height limit of 200 feet above mean sea level on all UA activities, to safeguard aviation safety. CAAS is reviewing the height limit in consideration of the development of technological solutions, such as the remote identification of UA, which will allow CAAS to better monitor and ensure the safe conduct of UA activities. The review timeframe will be based on the deployment timeline of these solutions.