Malaysia Set to Slash Drone Airspace Fees to Just RM1.50 Per 30 Minutes by 2025

Malaysia’s drone industry is set for a major shake-up as the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) prepares to introduce a new airspace fee structure, slashing operational costs to as low as RM1.50 per 30 minutes of flight time starting in 2025. This move is part of a broader regulatory overhaul designed to improve compliance and encourage growth in the local drone sector.

The new fee structure, which falls under Malaysia’s updated Civil Aviation Regulation (CAR) for Unmanned Aircraft Operations, is a significant departure from the current system. At present, drone operators are required to pay a flat fee of RM250 plus additional daily charges imposed by the Department of Survey and Mapping (JUPEM), among others. The new RM1.50 per 30 minutes fee is expected to make drone operations far more accessible and affordable.

The cost-reduction move is part of CAAM’s shift to a cost-recovery model that will see 22 new prices introduced as part of Malaysia’s revised aviation fee structure. The new fees will cover both manned and unmanned aircraft operations, ensuring a more balanced and sustainable system moving forward.

A critical component of this transformation is the upcoming Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management System (UAS-TMS), designed to improve the application process and significantly reduce approval times. The platform is modeled after systems already operational in Singapore and other advanced aviation markets, allowing CAAM to cut the current weeks-long approval process down to less than an hour.

Industry leaders have welcomed the move, calling it a game-changer for commercial and recreational drone operators. Lim Guang Ming, chief remote pilot at Drone Academy Asia, highlighted that this fee reduction will encourage greater compliance and open the door for smaller businesses to operate legally without facing heavy financial burdens.

According to Lim, the simplified fee structure is expected to spark a surge in commercial drone activities. Businesses in sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure inspection, and media production — many of which previously avoided official registration due to costly fees — can now operate more affordably and efficiently.

Drone Academy Asia, a recognized Remote Pilot Training Organization (RPTO) under CAAM, has been preparing industry clients from sectors such as oil and gas, plantations, and utilities to comply with these upcoming regulations. Lim emphasized that the new fee structure will make drone usage significantly more viable, particularly for smaller-scale operators like wedding photographers and real estate agents.

As Malaysia positions itself to become Southeast Asia’s leading drone hub by 2025, CAAM’s revised fee model is expected to encourage wider adoption of drones across various industries. The introduction of the UAS-TMS platform will play a vital role in improving efficiency, ensuring that drone operators can secure flight permits faster and more easily.

Although drone training is not legally mandatory, experts like Lim strongly recommend proper certification to ensure safe and compliant operations. Without adequate training, operators risk violating regulations, facing fines, or even endangering public safety.

If CAAM’s timeline proceeds as planned, the UAS-TMS platform and the revised fee structure are expected to be fully operational by the fourth quarter of 2025. This change is anticipated to boost Malaysia’s standing as one of Southeast Asia’s most drone-friendly regulatory 

Source : Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia