SINGAPORE – Drone flying in Singapore will become more expensive when a fee increase by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) – ranging from $5 to $50 – takes effect on Dec 23.
The revised rates, which affect nine regulatory fees, will be introduced in two phases, with the second phase taking effect on Jan 15, 2024.
In a statement on Wednesday, CAAS said the increase in permit fees was necessary to recover regulatory costs as well as address the rise in costs since 2015.
It said it had been absorbing a large proportion of the cost for permits since 2015 in a bid to keep fees low, which facilitated the use of drones.
“Over the years, the industry has matured and there has been an increase in both recreational and commercial unmanned aircraft activities. The need for CAAS to absorb the cost for permits has diminished,” it added.
As at March 31, 2016, the number of drone activity permits issued was 781 during financial year 2015-2016. By financial year 2021-2022, the number had increased fourfold to 3,195 permits issued as at March 31, 2022.
For the current financial year, 1,946 permits had been issued as at Oct 31, with 240 drone operator permit holders, compared with 117 such permits issued in financial year 2015-2016.
The aviation authority said the costs of regulating the use of drones had also increased over the years, with commercial operations becoming more complex.
To mitigate the risks, CAAS said it needed to adopt enhanced measures to ensure oversight over such operations.
Other than the registration fee for registrable drones, which will increase from $15 to $20 on Dec 23, and to $25 on Jan 15, 2024, the other regulatory fees affect both operator and activity permits.
The revisions affecting fees to do with operator permits are the costliest, as they are slated to go up by $50 twice.
Meanwhile, revisions for fees to do with activity permits will range from $8 to $25 at each juncture, with the smaller increments applying to the costs of subsequent applications.
For Class 1 activity permits, which are required for drone activities that are neither recreational or educational, drones weighing more than 25kg but used for recreational purposes, or drones used for educational purposes and weighing more than 7kg, the first application will cost $90 by Dec 23, up from the original $75. It will then increase further in January 2024 to $120.
However, as part of the revisions, the cost of copying or replacing a document will be struck off, with individuals no longer needing to pay the current fee of $33 from Dec 23.
Mr Farhan Tahir, administrator of the Facebook hobby group Universal Drones Singapore, which has about 7,800 members, said drone groups are unhappy with the fee revisions.
He said many drone operators felt the revisions were unjustified, especially when more people are flying drones now.
Mr Farhan, who is also a member of the Multirotor Association of Singapore, added: “This increase and other price hikes, such as the GST (goods and services tax) hike, are happening at the same time and may deter newcomers who are eyeing this hobby.
“But I don’t think this will stop current drone operators from purchasing or building new drones.”
