EASA launches IAM Hub Release 5 and updates SORA 2.5
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) launched the fifth release of its Innovative Air Mobility (IAM) Hub on 9 October 2025, alongside an updated SORA 2.5. The new version simplifies authorisation for UAS operations in the specific category by clarifying text, reducing room for interpretation, and lowering the evidence required for most low-risk Visual Line of Sight (SAIL II) operations, while relaxing certain requirements on containing drones within the operational volume. Release 5 adds a Drone Rule Navigator, the eSORA tool with a cross-border operations feature, a UAM guide co-created by UIC2, and new population density and land use data.
Impact and considerations
SORA 2.5 lowers the compliance threshold for low-risk drone operations and promotes harmonised implementation across Member States, directly affecting the approval path and time cost for operators, manufacturers and local governments pursuing drone and urban air mobility business in Europe.
Key points
- EASA launched IAM Hub Release 5 and SORA 2.5 on 9 October 2025.
- SORA 2.5 clarifies text and reduces room for interpretation, enabling more harmonised implementation across Member States.
- For most low-risk VLOS (SAIL II) operations, SORA 2.5 lowers the amount of evidence required for authorisation.
- SORA 2.5 relaxes certain requirements related to containing drones within the operational volume.
- Release 5 adds a Drone Rule Navigator to help operators determine their operation category and applicable requirements.
- The eSORA tool automates SORA 2.5 implementation and includes a cross-border operations feature, initially open only to Member States and IAM Hub Task Force members.
- The IAM Hub now includes population density and land use data, developed with Member States, Copernicus and the Joint Research Centre.
- Launched in December 2023, the IAM Hub connects cities, regions, national authorities, operators and manufacturers.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- European Union Aviation Safety Agency
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 9 Oct 2025, 20:00
- Page published
- 11 Sept 2026, 00:20
- Last updated
- 9 Oct 2025, 20:00
- Original links
- EASA Press Releases：EASA presses on the accelerator to support drone operations in the EU | EASA (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 9 Oct 2025, 20:00