Türkiye to build a digital highway in the sky: Ministry takes action

Türkiye is preparing to enter a new phase in the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Special digital air corridors will be established across the country to enable drones to fly long distances autonomously and beyond the operator's visual line of sight.

According to TodayPress TV, Türkiye's Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, announced the initiative at COP31.

The minister said that under the new system, drones would be able to operate safely and under supervision along predetermined routes. The initiative is intended to create new transport options independent of road networks.

Digital air corridors to be established for drones

The project will be implemented in accordance with the “Directive on Unmanned Aircraft Systems”, published by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation on July 30, 2026. The air corridors will be designated in coordination with the relevant authorities.

Their boundaries, entry and exit points, flight directions, capacity and minimum separation distances between aircraft will be defined digitally.

All flights to be monitored through a central system

Information about the drone corridors will be disseminated through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation's Unmanned Aircraft Tracking and Air Traffic Management System (İHATTYS). Drone software will be able to obtain route information and flight regulations directly from this system.

The corridors will be planned with due regard to prohibited, restricted and hazardous airspace, as well as areas covered by NOTAM notices.

Autonomous flights powered by artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence will also be used to determine flight routes under the new system. When necessary, the system will be able to restrict flight areas, change routes or ensure that a drone lands.

If communication is lost, unmanned aerial vehicles will be redirected to predetermined safe landing sites without flying over residential areas.

New opportunities for cargo and medical deliveries

The digital air corridors are primarily intended for use in logistics and healthcare. Key areas of application will include intercity cargo transportation, autonomous flights between logistics centres, and the delivery of blood, medicines, vaccines and medical samples between hospitals.

Other potential uses include supplying islands and settlements that become difficult to access during winter, transporting spare parts between industrial zones and ports, and inspecting power lines.

Recreational flights will not be permitted

Companies and pilots wishing to use the new corridors will be subject to special authorisation requirements.

Uraloğlu said that recreational flights would not be permitted along these routes. Only pilots holding a P2 licence will be allowed to operate flights as part of authorised companies, after obtaining the relevant operational permits from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

The minister added that drones used under the system must be registered and equipped with remote identification and geofencing systems, as well as the required software certifications. Submitting the relevant notification through İHATTYS before each flight will also be mandatory.

Routes for the drone air corridors will be determined according to operational needs in coordination with the relevant authorities and made publicly available through the İHATTYS system.

Giymat Mahir