New DroneMap app brings clear rules for drone pilots in Czechia
The Czech Air Navigation Services have introduced DroneMap: a new digital tool that helps pilots navigate both air and ground restrictions. The app provides instant information about no-fly zones, required permissions, and areas where rules have been eased. According to the UAV Alliance, it represents a major step toward safer and more accessible drone operations.
A new digital application called DroneMap is transforming how drone pilots operate in the Czech Republic. Launched on September 1, it replaces the older DroneView app and offers a more comprehensive and user-friendly guide to where drones can and cannot fly.
“The main change is that it doesn’t only focus on the airspace — restricted zones and so on — but also on risks and restrictions on the ground,” says Jakub Karas, president of the UAV Alliance of the Czech Republic. “For example, areas around railways, power lines, and other infrastructure.”
DroneMap provides instant information on whether flying is permitted in a given location, what conditions apply, and what permissions may be required. In some cases, restrictions have even been relaxed. “Now, around certain power lines or railway areas, you can fly without prior coordination with the managers, especially if it concerns lower-voltage power lines. All this information is clearly shown inside DroneMap,” Karas explains.
Czechia among EU leaders
The app is part of a wider effort to keep Czechia among the leaders in Europe’s drone sector. While all EU member states follow a common regulatory framework, national authorities interpret and implement it differently.
“I think the Czech Republic is ahead of the curve,” Karas says. “We already have this digital map in place, and we are also working on the U-Space system, which will essentially create ‘corridors’ in the airspace for drones. We are preparing this together with ANS Czech Republic.”
Looking ahead
Beyond regulation, the future of drones in Europe promises even more innovation. Karas points to Ireland, where drone deliveries are already being tested. “You can order something on your mobile phone and within minutes it is dropped into your garden,” he says.
While this may not be practical in historic Prague, other opportunities are opening up. “Transporting blood samples or other urgent goods is where drones can play a huge role. And that is where I see great opportunities for the Czech Republic as well,” Karas concludes.
