Richard Ryan, a barrister at Blakiston's Chambers who specialises in drone law, argues in sUAS News that the UK Civil Aviation Authority should show operators what they get for their money before it raises drone charges again. Its consultation CAP 3324 proposes raising every RPAS charge by 6.1% from 1 April 2027 and closes on 21 December.
Ryan sets out six years of rises. The operator ID cost £9 a year in 2019, now costs £12.34 and would be about £13.09 under the proposal. The PDRA01 authorisation went from £234 to £500 in April 2025, is £524 now and would be about £556.
Using volumes in the CAA's annual report and current prices, Ryan estimates that drone charges make up about 4% of the regulator's charges income. In 2025/26, when the PDRA01 fee more than doubled, applications fell by 22% and active authorisation holders by 21%, while Flyer IDs rose by 28%.
The CAA has said its review found the charges “highly unlikely to determine participation decisions”. Ryan asks it to publish income and costs for each drone scheme, tie price rises to turnaround times and say what the legislative reform part of the increase will deliver.
Background
UK Civil Aviation Authority
Aviation regulator
The UK's aviation regulator, which introduced its SORA-based authorisation process in April 2025.
More stories about UK Civil Aviation Authority
Richard Ryan
Drone law barrister
Richard Ryan is a Direct Access barrister at Blakiston's Chambers who specialises in drone and counter-drone law.
