WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Announces Progress on Key Drone Rules as Part of His Innovation Agenda
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last week, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy submitted two proposed rules to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. Specifically, he submitted Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations (BVLOS) and restricting Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operations at a fixed site facility. These are both critical steps toward making these regulatory improvements a reality, and key stakeholders and leaders have praised this progress. See what they are saying below:
Lisa Ellman, Chief Executive Officer, Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA):
The CDA applauds the Trump Administration for advancing the BVLOS and Section 2209 rules forward. Outdated regulations and regulatory paralysis threaten America’s security and aviation leadership. But with the right framework in place, we can unlock the real benefits of safe, secure, and scalable drone operations for the American people, from medical deliveries and emergency response to infrastructure inspection and public safety. The BVLOS rule especially is a critical deregulatory action which will remove ill-suited regulations that artificially constrain American innovation and ingenuity.
AUVSI commends Secretary Duffy and Administrator Rocheleau for advancing the long-awaited BVLOS and Section 2209 rulemakings to the White House for review. Finalizing these rules is essential to unlocking the next chapter of uncrewed aviation—driving innovation, improving safety, and maintaining U.S. global competitiveness. While this is not the first time the rules have reached this stage, AUVSI has remained deeply engaged throughout, advocating for our members and pushing to move these policies across the finish line.
Timely action is critical to give operators, manufacturers, public safety agencies, and others the regulatory clarity they need. A national BVLOS framework will enable safe, scalable commercial drone operations, while a Section 2209 rule will protect sensitive infrastructure without stalling industry growth.
We urge OIRA to complete its review quickly. These rules have already undergone significant interagency evaluation, and final action is long overdue. With years of effort behind them, BVLOS and Section 2209 regulations must be finalized now to provide the certainty and momentum the U.S. drone industry needs to grow and lead.
Suzanne Lemieux, Director of Security and Emergency Management, American Petroleum Institute (API):
API is encouraged to see that the FAA's proposed rulemaking on Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) is undergoing interagency review at the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. API supports rulemaking in this space and looks forward to the opportunities that BVLOS presents, including safer inspections of our nation's critical infrastructure, more efficient monitoring of emissions, and aiding response and recovery efforts, among others.
David French, Executive Vice President, National Retail Federation (NRF):
On behalf of the National Retail Federation, I write to thank you for advancing critical regulations regarding certain low-altitude unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations. We look forward to the rule moving forward from the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to being published in the Federal Register for public comment.
NRF, the world’s largest retail trade association, passionately advocates for the people, brands, policies and ideas that help retail succeed. NRF empowers the industry that powers the economy. Retail is the nation’s largest private-sector employer, contributing $5.3 trillion to annual GDP and supporting one in four U.S. jobs — 55 million working Americans. For over a century, NRF has been a voice for every retailer and every retail job, educating, inspiring and communicating the powerful impact retail has on local communities and global economies.
As retailers continue to evolve their supply chains to provide the best delivery options, the potential use of drones for product delivery to consumers is becoming an important part of their strategy. A final beyond visual line of sight rule will be critical to unlocking safe and scalable commercial drone operations for many retailers. Drone delivery will make items that people need and want quickly, from common household goods to medications, available for ultrafast delivery. Some consumers are already benefitting from drone delivery, but in order to expand and reach a broader array of customers, operators need regulatory certainty. Achieving certainty will attract new and continued investment in drone technology to the benefit of American consumers.
Ian Jefferies, President and CEO, Association of American Railroads (AAR):
Freight railroads applaud the U.S. Department of Transportation for advancing two long-awaited unmanned aircraft systems proposals to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. This is a critical step toward enabling routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations, which hold immense potential to enhance infrastructure safety, inspection efficiency, and emergency response for Class I railroads especially. AAR members have long supported the development of clear BVLOS rules that improve safety outcomes and reduce regulatory burdens.
AAR is also pleased to see that the long-delayed rule on the protection of critical infrastructure, like railroads, from unauthorized UAS incursions is integral to the safe integration of UAS into the national airspace. This rule was mandated by Congress in 2016 and its good to see it finally move forward.
We look forward to reviewing the details of the final measures and continuing to work with federal partners to integrate new technologies that enhance safety and benefit the broader transportation network.
We're excited about the progress @USDOT and @FAANews are making on drone regulations. Advancing the draft Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) rule is a big step toward unlocking safe, scalable drone deliveries. It was a privilege to host @SecDuffy and Acting Admin. @FAA_Chris at Prime Air’s Seattle HQ earlier this year. Thanks for your leadership—looking forward to what’s next!
The Small UAV Coalition expresses its gratitude to the Secretary of Transportation for his decision to send two FAA safety rules to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, the last step before these proposed rules are published in the Federal Register for public comment. The rulemaking to authorize drone operations beyond the visual line of sight is the most important rulemaking to allow the drone industry to scale operations and bring manifold benefits to American businesses and citizens, while helping maintain America’s global leadership in advanced aviation. The other rulemaking will help protect critical infrastructure facilities from drone operations that may interfere with such facilities. The Coalition applauds the Trump Administration’s move and urges it to complete its interagency review as soon as possible.
Adam Goldstein, Chief Executive Officer, Archer Aviation:
America is in a global race to maintain its leadership position in aviation. When I met with @SecDuffy a few weeks ago, I discussed with him how @ArcherAviation is positioned to help ensure our country does just that. We are working closely with the @realDonaldTrump Administration to make air taxis an everyday reality in America’s largest cities as soon as possible. Today, we are announcing that Archer has been selected as the exclusive air taxi for the @LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games and @TeamUSA I had hinted at this transformational announcement on our earnings call earlier this week. What this means is that the @USDOT and @FAANews are confident Archer is the right partner to ensure these games showcase America’s leadership in tech & transportation. I am humbled by the vote of confidence our government is placing in Archer and can assure you that our team will work relentlessly to make LA28 the most iconic Olympic Games the world has ever seen. I’ve been invited to be on @FallonTonight at 11:35 ET on @nbc to share more--be sure to tune in.
Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer, Archer Aviation:
Huge day for Team @ArcherAviation—proud to announce our exclusive partnership with the Olympics, selected as the official air taxi of the @LA28 Olympic and @Paralympics Games and @TeamUSA! No bigger stage to introduce Archer and Midnight to the world. As part of the partnership, we’ll work with the @USDOT and @FAANews over the next three years to integrate Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft across the LA28 Games and transport VIPs & fans across the Olympic venues – from @USC's Coliseum, to the Stadium at Inglewood, to SoCal’s most popular airports: @flyLAXairport, Hollywood, @JohnWayneAir, Santa Monica, and more. Thanks to @caseywasserman and team for the partnership. Can’t wait to ramp operations in LA in the years to come – I can already picture Midnight with the Olympic rings in 28!
On May 14, 2025, the Trump Administration pushed forward critical drone regulations, including BVLOS and Section 2209, to enhance U.S. leadership in drone technology! The CDA applauds this move for unlocking safe, scalable drone operations.
Association For Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AVUSI) Release:
The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) strongly supports the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) advancement of the Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) and Section 2209 rulemakings to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), where the draft rules will re-enter the critical interagency review process.
This is a critical step in the rulemaking process and a strong signal that the federal government is moving toward a scalable, performance-based regulatory framework to enable routine BVLOS operations across the commercial drone sector, including public safety, critical infrastructure, agriculture, package delivery, and other use cases.
Liz Forro, Policy Director, Commercial Drone Alliance:
This is a crucial milestone to finally right-sizing the low altitude airspace for commercial drone activity. This action will spur much-needed investment in our domestic drone industrial base and relieve the regulatory paralysis that has crippled the U.S. from leading in advanced aviation technology to date. We encourage OIRA to clear both proposals quickly so that CDA and its members finally get the opportunity to review and provide feedback in support of the Administration’s efforts to quickly finalize these rules.
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