The Law Commission’s second consultation paper on aviation autonomy has been published today (April 16), focussing on air traffic management and air navigation services (“ATM/ANS”) for uncrewed aircraft.

In their first consultation paper on aviation autonomy published last year, the Law Commission looked at the law relating to drones and vertical take-off and landing aircraft (“VTOLs”). To operate safely in integrated airspace, those uncrewed aircraft will require some form of ATM/ANS, which they refer to as uncrewed aircraft systems traffic management (“UTM”). In their second consultation paper, they make provisional proposals about how UTM should be regulated, and the legal mechanisms for establishing liability when things go wrong.  They are seeking views from anyone with an interest in or awareness of this area of law.

The consultation is open until 18 July 2025. 

Read more about the first consultation

16 April 2025