Air Navigation Services of the Czech Republic (ANS CR) will soon be using Airmap UTM to manage authorizations for drone flights in the controlled airspace around Václav Havel Airport Prague, one of the country’s busiest airports.

Drone operators who use the AirMap for Drones mobile application can gain situational awareness by viewing up-to-date airspace conditions, advisories, and regulatory information, according to a news release. They also can create flight plans and soon will have the ability to request authorization to fly in controlled airspace. ANS CR administrators will be able to manage authorization requests from the AirMap UTM Dashboard.

“Detection and integration of drones is a challenge,” said Jan Klas, ANS CR Director General, according to the release. “We are pleased to deploy UTM services through the AirMap mobile application. ANS CR wants to build an open system that provides comprehensive information to all partners involved.”

ANS CR and AirMap are working with UpVision to create local awareness of UTM capabilities. UpVision is customizing the AirMap for Drones application for use in Czech Republic and will provide unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operators with technical support for UTM services.

Earlier this year, the Swiss aviation authority, skyguide, deployed AirMap as part of Europe’s first national drone traffic management system. AirMap also powers UTM services in the United States, New Zealand and Japan.

“By opening up more airspace we are helping give rise to a new drone economy,” said Ben Marcus, AirMap co-founder and Chairman. “The Czech Republic is among the global first movers in the race to capture a share of the tremendous opportunity that drones represent as they become more and more a part of our everyday lives.”