Aker Solutions Secures Europe’s First Full BVLOS Drone Operations Certification

November 13, 2025

Aker Solutions has become the first company in Europe to receive full certification for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations — a major milestone that opens the door to a new era of autonomous inspection and maintenance across industrial and energy sectors.

A New Era for Autonomous Operations

The certification allows Aker Solutions to perform unlimited BVLOS missions, enabling drones to operate safely alongside manned helicopters and aircraft. This represents one of the most advanced and high-risk approvals ever granted by European and national aviation authorities, ensuring seamless integration with helideck operations, airports, and controlled airspace.

All operations are piloted remotely from an onshore control center, located hundreds of kilometers from the sites being inspected. This capability marks a significant step toward fully remote, automated operations in complex environments such as offshore platforms, process plants, and onshore yards.

Flexible and System-Agnostic Certification

Unlike traditional approvals tied to specific hardware, Aker Solutions’ BVLOS certification is system- and vendor-agnostic. This gives the company full flexibility to choose different drone platforms, suppliers, and technologies — allowing seamless integration and customization to meet diverse client needs.

“Meeting these requirements opens up new opportunities and supports the shift toward low- and unmanned operations in some of the world’s most demanding maritime settings,” said Joachim Hovland, Head of Drones and Robotics. “We aim to lead in delivering digital and automated maintenance and inspection services that enhance customer productivity.”

Key Capabilities Enabled by the Certification

With this new authorization, Aker Solutions can now:

Conduct unlimited BVLOS inspections onshore and offshore
Pilot drones remotely from centralized control rooms
Support both current and future unmanned installations
Improve efficiency and productivity through flexible, automated solutions

Earlier this year, Aker Solutions successfully completed its first offshore BVLOS drone operation, remotely controlled from its Stavanger facility. The mission demonstrated both the reliability and safety of the company’s autonomous flight systems.