Drone association calls for greater consultation on new regulations
By Breaking Belize News Staff: The Belize National UAS Industry Association (BNUIA) has issued an urgent statement expressing serious concerns over recent actions by the Belize Department of Civil Aviation (BDCA), claiming the regulator has abruptly ended a collaborative review process for a proposed 55-page Operational Directive governing drone operations. According to the association, only […] The post Drone association calls for greater consultation on new regulations appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
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By Breaking Belize News Staff: The Belize National UAS Industry Association (BNUIA) has issued an urgent statement expressing serious concerns over recent actions by the Belize Department of Civil Aviation (BDCA), claiming the regulator has abruptly ended a collaborative review process for a proposed 55-page Operational Directive governing drone operations. According to the association, only 24 pages of the document were reviewed during a shortened consultation workshop, leaving 31 pages unexamined despite repeated requests from stakeholders to continue discussions.
BNUIA stated that the consultation process fell short of its original intent after a planned two-day workshop was reduced to a day and a half. The association alleges that requests to reconvene and complete the review were denied and that stakeholders were later given a deadline to submit remaining concerns.
In its release, BNUIA argued that the regulator had already decided its course of action, citing a letter indicating that the BDCA would publish a final draft by June 30. “The BDCA will ‘Publish the Final Draft no later than June 30th, after which a second consultative forum may be convened to explain the BDCA’s dispositions of comments,’” the association quoted from the correspondence.
The association also raised concerns about transparency, claiming that a Freedom of Information Act request submitted on April 24 has gone unanswered beyond the legally mandated response period. BNUIA described a June 3 email from the Director of Civil Aviation acknowledging receipt of its submission as inadequate, saying it “entirely ignores a major ongoing statutory violation.” The association further warned that the regulatory process is creating uncertainty within the drone community and undermining confidence in the development of aviation policy.
BNUIA called on government authorities to revisit the consultation process and work more closely with industry stakeholders. “The BNUIA urges the Ministry of Civil Aviation, BDCA and governmental stakeholders to restore transparency and collaborative engagement in regulatory development,” the release stated.
The organization added that it remains committed to “promoting safe drone operations, protecting industry growth, and ensuring fair treatment for all aviation stakeholders,” while continuing efforts to seek accountability and greater openness in the regulatory process.
The post Drone association calls for greater consultation on new regulations appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
