21 APRIL 2020 – LONDON – AECOM, the world’s premier infrastructure firm has been given the green light to fly drones in complex environments across the country. With new permissions approved by the Civil Aviation Authority, AECOM’s specialised drone operators will have better accessibility when working with clients to carefully assess high rising infrastructure.

Prior to securing this new accreditation, in 2017, AECOM secured the ‘standard’ permission for aerial working however, this limited the distance and proximity that AECOM drone operators could safely fly towards assets which were not under their control.

With the ‘nonstandard’ permission now in place, drone operators will be able to operate in congested and complex environments, including highly urbanised areas. The highly developed safe system of working is designed to minimise the potential risk to people, the environment and infrastructure during aerial operations.

With only a handful of non-standard permission holders in the British Isles, this new accreditation will enable AECOM to deliver larger infrastructure projects across various sectors such as Rail and Highways.

Ciaran Hogan, AECOM’s Senior UAS (unmanned aerial systems) Consultant for EMEA, said: “Having previously used subcontractors to help deliver our projects and assess complex environments, this is a major step forward for AECOM. By growing our team and further exploring the UK’s commercial drone market, we aim to lead the way within the technical drone services sector.

“With a key focus on safety, AECOM’s multidisciplinary team of professionals will work with closely with its partners and clients to create a legacy for generations to come.”

ENDS