The cabinet on September 14 approved the "Drone Registration and Aviation Policy, 2020" to coordinate and control commercial drone flight activities.
There has been confusion over the policy due to misinformation in various published reports over flying drones.
Considering the matter, on Wednesday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism has released a set of guidelines. They are as follows:
"Drone Registration and Aviation Policy, 2020" has been approved by the cabinet but it has not been published in the form of a gazette yet. No person or organization can register and fly a drone under this policy until the gazette of the policy is prepared and published by the concerned ministry, department or agency.
The information given in some newspapers about the flight of “A” class drones at an altitude of 500ft is incorrect. According to the policy, “A” class drones are drones used for entertainment. This type of drone will not be able to fly within 3km of the airport or KPI. However, drones can fly between 3-5km of the airport at an altitude of 50ft and must weigh less than 5 kg. Drones weighing more than 5kg cannot fly within a radius of 3-5km of the airport or KPI – higher than 100ft altitude – without registration and permission.
If it is capable of flying at altitudes of more than 50-100ft and the weight of the drone is more than 5 kg, it will be necessary to register and obtain permission from the Bangladesh Civil Aviation Authority for flying any type of drone except "D" class.
If any information is required in this regard, they are requested to contact the Civil Aviation Division of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism.