Dubai Municipality and Dubai Civil Aviation Authority have successfully completed the initial stage of the Dubai Horizons project. The objective of the project is to enhance the emirate’s readiness for drone usage and broaden the range of associated services.
The project is developing guidelines for drone routes and designated landing areas in low-altitude airspace and specified airport sites, aligning with the aviation and construction regulations of the country.
Dubai Horizons aims to enhance security and safety standards in air navigation while also fostering an investment ecosystem within the drone sector, according to Gulf Business.
Dubai Horizons Project Set to Elevate City’s Drone Readiness and Global Competitiveness
The Dubai Horizons project will significantly enhance Dubai’s preparedness for the use of drones and air delivery services, providing well-defined routes.
Dawoud Al Hajri, the director general of Dubai Municipality, highlighted that the project, by providing precise data for drone operations adhering to international standards, will reinforce Dubai’s global leadership and competitiveness.
Mohammed Abdullah Ahli, director general of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, emphasized the successful completion of the first phase of the ‘Dubai Horizons’ project in collaboration with Dubai Municipality and other strategic partners. The initiative aims to position Dubai as a leading hub in shaping and building the future, with the ‘Dubai Sky Dome’ project further fostering future-oriented thinking and innovation. Al Ahli stressed the significance of regulations, particularly Law No (4) of 2020, in advancing drone systems, outlining rules and responsibilities.
Dubai Municipality is contributing to the project by offering digital geospatial twin databases of Dubai, including 3D maps of city landmarks and facilities, along with advanced geospatial solutions, planning standards, and data on land classification and regulation.
Dubai Horizons Project Set to Elevate City’s Drone Readiness and Global Competitiveness
The first phase of Dubai Horizons, held at Dubai Silicon Oasis, involved studying existing regulations, laws, and policies related to low-altitude airspace planning, drone operations, privacy, and air navigation safety. Meetings identified challenges, leading to a pilot project that evaluated proposed planning requirements through 3D maps of planned drone routes and landing locations. A working group was formed to provide recommendations for the ideal future scenario and establish clear protocols.
In July, Dubai Municipality, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, and the Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) signed cooperation agreements and a memorandum of understanding to develop a framework for the Dubai Horizons project.
Drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), urban air mobility, and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft are gaining prominence as the world seeks more advanced and sustainable forms of transportation to address the challenges of growing urbanization and the impacts of climate change. These technologies were a focal point at the recent Dubai Airshow.
Precedence Research, a consultancy firm, reported a valuation of $22.68 billion for the global market size of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) drones in 2021. Projections indicate that the market is poised to surpass $102.38 billion by 2030, reflecting a registered compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.2 percent over the forecast period from 2022 to 2030.
