In a landmark move for unmanned aviation, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has granted Windracers the first-ever approval for a civil international drone operation from the UK.

The British drone manufacturer, known for its civil and defence applications, will fly its ULTRA heavy-lift drone beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) from Tingwall Airport in the Shetland Islands to Haugesund Airport in Norway. The cross-border flight is the first of its kind involving civil drone operations between UK and foreign airspace, enabled by close collaboration with Luftfartstilsynet, Norway’s aviation authority.

The route spans 378 kilometres (235 miles) across the North Sea, supported by the creation of temporary danger areas, effectively establishing a secure aerial corridor for the historic flight.

Simon Muderack, CEO at Windracers, said: “This airspace approval is a major landmark for both Windracers and the wider UAS sector, and shows how the UK and Norway CAAs are acting as enabling regulators supporting the future of aviation.

“Windracers ULTRA is already flying real-world missions today. We can now prove those capabilities across international airspace – opening new possibilities for how we connect remote communities and deliver essential services.

“Many assume the autonomous air cargo industry is still years away, something in the future. Windracers, with the support of the UK and Norway CAAs, is affirming that it is here today.”

The approval process focused on how current day regulations could be used and how best to overcome a range of challenges, including safety, liability, international obligations and environmental mitigations around the planned flight.

Jon Round, Head of Airspace, Air Traffic Management & Aerodrome Airspace at UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “Our airspace regulation team rose to the challenge by enabling an airspace change request through smart use of existing structures and regulatory processes.

“Innovation isn’t always about new technology or future frameworks – it can also mean reimagining how current systems can be applied. We’re proud to have helped make this possible, showing that we are an enabling regulator.”

Lars E. de Lange Kobberstad, Director General at Civil Aviation Authority of Norway, said: “Together with our British colleagues, we are facilitating technology that can strengthen preparedness, protect the environment and improve accessibility—while keeping safety as our top priority.”

Central to the mission is the Windracers ULTRA – a dual-use drone designed for long-range, heavy-lift missions. Capable of carrying up to 150 kg over 1,000 km, the ULTRA can also be outfitted with a 3-door drop bay system for precise aerial delivery of aid and supplies.

The approval marks a major step forward for the future of autonomous logistics and international drone operations.