In 1849, the Austrian Navy launched a 6.5-kilometre #BVLOS drone strike using unmanned hot air balloons. It failed; not for lack of ambition, but due to a lack of data and control systems.

175 years later, those same gaps persist. "The biggest business opportunity in drone delivery is data," said Thomas Neubauer, Co-Founder and CEO of Dimetor, at Aerial Cities 2024.

In this panel from our C-level, invitation-only event, leaders from across Europe shared how #BVLOS drone operations are technically ready, but still struggling to scale due to fragmented infrastructure, lack of trusted data, and unclear business models. From AI-powered #regulatory platforms to real-time telecom-based risk assessments, the ecosystem is evolving. And yet, success will depend on shared #standards, digital transformation, and cross-sector collaboration. Key insights from the panel discussion:

➡️️ Real-time #infrastructure is now a prerequisite for safe BVLOS #drone operations

➡️ #Regulation is becoming an enabler, not a blocker, when guided by digital tools

➡️ Business models must catch up with #technology to justify scale investments

Moderated by Dr. Christoph Selig, Co-Founder and Chief Customer Officer at Unisphere GmbH, the conversation brought together Thomas Neubauer, Co-Founder and CEO of Dimetor; Andrew Carter, Co-Founder and CEO of ResilienX; Thomas Jimenez, Market Director for UAS/AAM at Kongsberg Geospatial; and Giovanni Di Antonio, FRAeS, Director of Technological Innovation at ENAC - Ente Nazionale per l'Aviazione Civile, Italy’s Civil Aviation Authority. Listen the full session recap to see how #Europe is turning digital infrastructure, regulatory innovation, and cross-industry collaboration into the foundation for BVLOS at #scale.