Amending Law No. (4) of 2020

Regulating Unmanned Aircraft in the Emirate of Dubai^{^[1]}

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We, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai,

After perusal of:

Law No. (2) of 2012 Establishing the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects Corporation;

Law No. (10) of 2015 Concerning the Dubai Aviation City Corporation;

Law No. (4) of 2020 Regulating Unmanned Aircraft in the Emirate of Dubai (the “Original Law”); and

Law No. (11) of 2020 Concerning the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority,

Do hereby issue this Law.

Superseded Articles

Article (1)

Articles (7), (20), (21), and (23) of the Original Law are hereby superseded by the following:

Approval of Unmanned Aircraft Airport Standards and Designs

Article (7)

a. For the purposes of this Law, the DCAA will, in coordination with the concerned entities in the Emirate and in accordance with the legislation in force, have the duties and powers to:

1. determine and approve the specifications, standards, and requirements that must be met by Unmanned Aircraft Airports;

2. approve the engineering designs of the Unmanned Aircraft Airports designated for Government and non-government use, and their stations, facilities, and Infrastructure; oversee the implementation of these designs; and issue the relevant completion certificates, provided that the designs and plans are compliant with the urban planning requirements and with the procedures for control of traffic and transport adopted in the Emirate;

3. prescribe the standards and criteria for the pre-qualification and certification of Contractors and Consultants engaged in the construction of Unmanned Aircraft Airports and their stations, facilities, and Infrastructure;

4. consider the engineering and technical obstacles that encounter the operation of Unmanned Aircraft Airports, and develop appropriate solutions for these obstacles; and

5. conduct research on engineering development and innovation in fields related to Unmanned Aircraft Airports, Infrastructure, and their operation.

b. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this Article, the Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects Corporation will, in coordination with the DCAA and concerned entities and within the boundaries of the Dubai Aviation City demarcated pursuant to the above-mentioned Law No. (10) of 2015, have the duties and powers to:

1. develop, and supervise the implementation of, the engineering designs of the Unmanned Aircraft Airports designated for government use, and their stations, facilities, and Infrastructure, in accordance with the relevant legislation in force and internationally recognised standards;

2. approve the engineering designs of the Unmanned Aircraft Airports designated for non-government use, and their stations, facilities, and Infrastructure; and issue the relevant completion certificates, in accordance with the relevant legislation in force; and

Establishment of Infrastructure

Article (20)

No Person may establish the Infrastructure required for conducting Unmanned Aircraft Operations without first obtaining the relevant Permit from the DCAA. This Permit will be issued in coordination with the concerned entities and as per the relevant conditions and requirements adopted by the DCAA and these entities.

Establishing and Operating Unmanned Aircraft Airports

Article (21)

No Person may establish or operate an Unmanned Aircraft Airport or make any modification thereto without first obtaining the relevant Permit from the DCAA. This Permit will be issued in coordination with the concerned entities and as per the relevant conditions and requirements adopted by the DCAA and these entities.

Fuel and Power Supply

Article (23)

No Person may supply Unmanned Aircraft with fuel or power without first obtaining the relevant Permit from the DCAA. This Permit will be issued in coordination with the concerned entities and as per the relevant requirements and procedures adopted by the DCAA and these entities.

Repeals

Article (2)

Any provision in any other legislation is hereby repealed to the extent that it contradicts the provisions of this Law.

Publication and Commencement

Article (3)

This Law will be published in the Official Gazette and will come into force on the day on which it is published.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum

Ruler of Dubai

Issued in Dubai on 6 February 2023

Corresponding to 15 Ramadan 1444 A.H.

[1]Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this legislation. However, for the purpose of its interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail.