AirShare was developed in 2014 as New Zealand’s hub for recreational and commercial drone operators – providing the information and access you need to learn how to operate your drone safely in all types of airspace, plan drone flights, identify safe places to fly, and gain authorisation to fly from Airways New Zealand and aerodrome operators.
The AirShare website was developed to provide useful information and guidance for drone operators around flying safely in New Zealand airspace – here you’ll find an outline of the rules for safe drone flying, easy access to our web and mobile apps, a range of FAQs, and some interesting news & updates.
AirShare global UTM system
The AirShare uncrewed aircraft traffic management (UTM) system is a proven platform developed as a Flight Information Management System (FIMS) to help global air navigation service providers and regulators safely and efficiently integrate uncrewed traffic into the airspace.
Since its launch in 2014 as New Zealand’s drone user hub and Airways New Zealand’s UTM system, AirShare has supported Airways to reduce risks related to uncrewed aircraft (UA), enhance situation awareness for air traffic controllers, and reduce ATC workload.
Airways worked alongside the UA industry group UAVNZ, and the Civil Aviation Authority to bring AirShare to life for New Zealand drone operators.
AirShare app for drone pilots
The AirShare app is available for mobile and web, and is used by recreational and commercial drone operators throughout New Zealand to identify safe places to fly, log drone flights, and request authorisation to fly in New Zealand airspace from Airways New Zealand and aerodrome operators.
Airways has used AirShare in our tower operations across New Zealand since 2014. AirShare helps us to manage drone operations by providing accurate information to air traffic controllers. Drone operators can log their flight details into AirShare which then generates information for our controllers in the tower.
This information allows us to make timely decisions and approvals on safe areas and altitudes for drones to operate in the vicinity of the aerodrome, which in turn assists with managing the workload involved in drone operations.
As New Zealand’s air navigation service provider, Airways safely manages more than 500,000 flights through one of the world’s largest airspaces.
Airways has used AirShare in their tower operations across New Zealand since 2014, helping to safely and efficiently integrate uncrewed traffic into the airspace.
Airways’ air traffic controllers are responsible for ensuring the safe separation of all crewed and uncrewed aircraft in New Zealand controlled airspace. AirShare provides them with real-time display and management of nationwide UA activity, giving controllers situation awareness and enabling them to manage drone flight requests and communicate with pilots.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulates civil aviation in New Zealand. If you fly a UA then you must comply with CAA regulations.
The CAA works to ensure that everyone involved in New Zealand aviation meets the legal standards set by the Minister of Transport – it establishes the rules that all New Zealand aviation participants need to follow to keep our skies safe and secure.
The CAA also monitors safety and security performance throughout the aviation community so that they can direct safety efforts where they are needed most.
The UAVNZ industry group works to advocate for and professionalise the uncrewed aerospace sector in New Zealand.
UAVNZ aims to maximise the benefits from UA technologies and develop a world-class UA industry in New Zealand. They are driven by the industry, managed by volunteers from the industry, and progress initiatives important to the industry.
Since February 2023, UAVNZ and AirShare have been partnering to improve the platform in line with industry requirements. UAVNZ provides an official feedback channel to AirShare, who have been regularly making updates as part of this partnership.
UAVNZ recognises the value that AirShare provides to the industry ecosystem and continues to support AirShare in delivering value to the industry.
