Airlines back creation of global drone registry

MONTREAL/SINGAPORE: The world’s airlines are backing the development of a UN-led global registry for drones, as a rise in near collisions by unmanned aircraft and commercial jets fuels safety concerns, an executive of their trade group said on Tuesday.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) backs efforts by the UN’ aviation agency to develop such a registry, which could also help track the number of incidents involving drones and jets, said Rob Eagles, IATA’s director of air traffic management infrastructure.

IATA would consider collaborating with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to use the registry for data analysis to improve safety. ICAO is developing the registry as part of broader efforts to come up with common rules for flying and tracking unmanned aircraft.

Airlines and airport operators are looking to drone registries, geo-fencing technology and stiffer penalties for operating drones near airports.