Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia is expected to announce its national roadmap for the commercial drone sector later this year, including plans to launch commercial cargo and passenger drone services by 2030, as it seeks to become a regional hub for next-generation aviation technology.
Speaking at the launch of the initiative on June 24, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has been tasked with developing a regulatory framework to support the safe integration and expansion of low-altitude aviation services.
The framework will provide the foundation for safe airspace integration, operational oversight, industry development and future mobility solutions, he said.
Under the roadmap, cargo drones will be the first commercial application, with a limited cargo drone service expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2027. Passenger drone transport services, meanwhile, will require further technical studies, operational testing and safety assessments before licences can be issued.
Loke said the low-altitude economy (LAE) presents significant economic opportunities for Malaysia, as the advanced air mobility (AAM) and drone technology sectors are expanding rapidly, backed by billions of US dollars in global investment.
The minister also said Malaysia should seize the opportunity to develop its own maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities and manufacturing standards for the low-altitude economy. He noted that the industry has yet to reach the level of maturity seen in the traditional aviation and aerospace sectors.
According to the CAAM, airspace up to 3,000 metres above ground level is classified as low-altitude airspace./.
