Airservices Australia Unveils Initial Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Service Suppliers
Airservices Australia has announced its first selection of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Service Suppliers (USS) intended to integrate with the new Flight Information Management System (FIMS). This innovative data-sharing platform is designed to facilitate the seamless incorporation of drones and other uncrewed aircraft into the Australian airspace.
These USS were chosen following a Request for Proposal issued in late 2024, which sought specialized technology providers to partner with Airservices. The Australian companies AvSoft and Yarra Drones, alongside the U.S. based OneSky, have been selected to engage in the initial phase of technical integration with the FIMS.
The FIMS will play a crucial role at the heart of Australia’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM) framework, enabling effective communication of flight information between air traffic control operators, traditional aircraft, and users operating in uncrewed airspace.
With predictions of over 60 million drones potentially navigating Australian skies by 2043, the development of the UTM ecosystem through collaborative efforts between government and industry is vital to ensuring a safe, efficient, and unified airspace for both uncrewed and conventional aircraft.
As Airservices prepares to launch FIMS in late 2025, these partnerships will be instrumental in delivering advanced digital UTM solutions for drone operators, as industry providers work on integrating their platforms with FIMS.
Supported by Airservices’ strategic partner Frequentis Australasia and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA), the onboarding and integration of USS involves extensive collaboration on testing FIMS capabilities, ensuring both technical and regulatory compliance, thus enabling the uncrewed industry to flourish.
Luke Gumley, the Head of Transformation for Uncrewed Services Integration at Airservices Australia, expressed optimism regarding this significant milestone in developing the UTM ecosystem in the country. He stated, “We’re excited to support the inaugural group of UAS Service Suppliers, welcoming OneSky, AvSoft, and Yarra Drones, whose expertise will be invaluable.”
He added, “We anticipate partnering with more USS in upcoming onboarding rounds next year, benefiting from the groundwork established with the first group. The proactive policies and regulatory frameworks, along with the collaboration between Airservices and industry stakeholders in delivering open market UTM services linked to FIMS, set Australia on the path to leading the safe and sustainable development of the drone and emerging aviation sectors.”
For further details regarding Airservices’ efforts to bolster Australia’s UTM ecosystem, visit Airservices Australia.
