Russian drone operators are facing mass rejections of flight plans by the State ATM Corporation. The regulator denies authorization if operators have not paid for a commercial account in the ERA-GLONASS system. Industry representatives report that this administrative barrier imposes significant financial burdens, potentially costing the sector tens of millions of rubles annually.
The Aeronext Association, which represents the industry, filed a formal complaint with the Prosecutor's Office and the Ministry of Transport on October 5, 2026. The association argues that these actions lack a legal basis in federal law or government decrees. Operators claim that the mandatory use of third-party commercial services for flight identification is being imposed without proper regulatory authority.
Technical experts point out that the required tracking equipment has significant limitations, including a dependency on cellular coverage, which is absent in many remote regions like Yamal. Furthermore, the current system does not integrate with previously established identification platforms like Nebosvod, creating data exchange gaps that hinder operations for major companies such as Geoskan.
The industry warns that these requirements threaten the federal project for training drone specialists. Educational institutions, including schools and aviation clubs, lack the budgets and legal mechanisms to pay for commercial identification services for every training drone. This creates a barrier for students and young engineers, potentially stalling the development of the national drone industry.
