Ecuador advances new drone registration and regulation law

Ecuador is advancing a new Organic Law of Civil Aviation that would introduce the first specific regulatory framework for unmanned aerial vehicles (drones). The project, which has moved to the second debate stage in the National Assembly, aims to regulate the registration, operation, control, and importation of these devices.

Under the proposal, drones weighing more than 250 grams must be registered in the National Aeronautical Registry. This registration, managed by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (DGAC), would allow for the identification of owners and technical specifications. The registration process is expected to be a simplified, online procedure. While the law would cover private and public drones, it excludes those operated by the Armed Forces, National Police, and the National Customs Service.

The legislation also establishes strict operational limits and penalties. For instance, flying a drone near a forest fire would be classified as a very serious infraction due to the risk of interfering with firefighting efforts. Violations could result in fines ranging from 21 to 30 unified basic salaries, temporary suspension of operating permits, or seizure of equipment used for illicit activities.