July 12, 2025 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today a significant expansion of its Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) approvals across multiple U.S. regions, marking a major leap forward for the commercial drone industry. This move clears the way for advanced drone operations, including autonomous deliveries, infrastructure inspections, and emergency response support.

“Expanding BVLOS access is a pivotal moment for the future of unmanned aviation,” said David Boulter, FAA Acting Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety. “These approvals empower U.S. drone operators to innovate and scale their operations safely and efficiently.”

Under the new framework, the FAA has granted BVLOS waivers to approved operators in industries such as logistics, energy, agriculture, and public safety. These waivers enable drones to fly without the need for constant visual observer oversight—eliminating one of the biggest regulatory hurdles in the U.S. drone ecosystem.

The expansion is part of the FAA’s broader effort to modernize drone integration into national airspace. By leveraging automated detect-and-avoid (DAA) systems, network-based communications, and risk-based performance standards, the FAA aims to support safe and scalable drone operations at low altitudes.

This milestone follows years of collaboration between the FAA, drone manufacturers, and enterprise partners through initiatives like the BEYOND program and UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP). The result is a carefully phased approach to BVLOS regulation that balances innovation with airspace safety.

As drone technology becomes more integral to last-mile delivery, infrastructure monitoring, disaster response, and environmental research, BVLOS capabilities are expected to unlock new efficiencies and opportunities across the country.