The FAA has announced nine new partners to its Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) initiative that provides real-time processing of airspace authorization for Part 107 drone operators seeking to fly in controlled airspace. LAANC uses airspace data, including UAS facilities maps, showing the maximum altitude around airports where the FAA may authorize operations under Part 107 in controlled airspace. The program gives drone operators the ability to interact with industry-developed applications and obtain near real-time authorization from the FAA.

LAANC is now available at nearly 300 FAA air traffic facilities across the country, covering approximately 500 airports, and is the foundation for the under-development Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management System (UTM). Following a successful prototype test, the LAANC initiative was simultaneously opened to additional air traffic control facilities and to new industry partners. The five-month onboarding process that began in April resulted in nine new LAANC partners: Aeronyde, Airbus, AiRXOS, Altitude Angel, Converge, DJI, KittyHawk, UASidekick, and Unifly. The nine join five companies—AirMap, Harris Corp., Project Wing, Skyward, and Thales Group—that are already providing LAANC Services.

Next year the FAA will accept applications from additional parties interested in becoming LAANC service providers.