Matternet, a leader in urban drone delivery platforms, has received a Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) from the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA). This is the first LUC granted by FOCA for higher-risk “SAIL III” missions, allowing beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone flights over populated areas.
The certification enables Matternet to independently approve new drone delivery deployments in Switzerland and Berlin, while streamlining approvals for similar operations across the European Union.
“We are thrilled to receive this certification, as it empowers us to expand drone deliveries throughout Europe,” said Andreas Raptopoulos, founder and CEO of Matternet. “Our collaboration with FOCA has been essential in achieving this milestone. The ability to self-approve routes will significantly accelerate the expansion of our networks, allowing us to deliver crucial supplies to hospitals and directly to people’s homes.”
This achievement builds on Matternet’s history of pioneering regulatory approvals, including being the first to receive BVLOS operation approval over cities in Switzerland in 2017. These advancements further establish Matternet as a leader in safe and efficient drone delivery solutions across Europe.
Tom Rehwinkel, Head of Regulatory Affairs EMEA at Matternet, added, “Receiving the LUC demonstrates our robust safety management system that effectively mitigates aviation risks. This certificate underscores our commitment to safe, reliable drone deliveries.”
Matternet also holds type and production certifications from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), as well as BVLOS permits from both the FAA and FOCA, and cross-border permits from the German Federal Aviation Office (LBA).
About Matternet
Matternet is the leading developer of commercial drone delivery systems for urban and suburban environments. The company produces the Matternet M2 drone and software platform and collaborates with logistics partners like UPS. Matternet was the first to be approved for BVLOS commercial drone deliveries over cities in Switzerland and has conducted tens of thousands of flights in the U.S. and Europe.
For more information, visit Matternet.
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