When a rescue mission unfolds in the Alps, every minute can make the difference between life and death. Yet for emergency teams operating across the Austria–Italy border, legal and administrative barriers can slow down the use of drones exactly when they are needed most.

We are pleased to announce the completion of the expert analysis for our b-solutions case, “Cross-border UAS for (Re)Search and Rescue.” Prepared by the legal experts at Dike Associazione Professionale, the report examines the regulatory challenges affecting cross-border drone operations during alpine search and rescue missions.

The analysis confirms that differences between Italy’s national procedures and Austria’s implementation of the EU drone framework create uncertainty for time-critical operations, particularly regarding authorization procedures and BVLOS requirements.

Importantly, the report also identifies a practical way forward. It highlights that EU Regulation 2019/947 already gives the on-scene rescue commander the authority to authorize drone flights within an active emergency area. We believe this existing provision could provide a solid legal basis for enabling urgent cross-border drone operations without the need for new legislation.

The next step is to work closely with the national aviation authorities to explore how this approach can be implemented safely, consistently, and in full compliance with the applicable regulatory framework. Together, we aim to identify practical conditions and procedures that could facilitate time-critical cross-border drone operations while maintaining the highest standards of safety.

With the legal analysis complete, the project now enters its next phase. Building on the report’s findings, we will engage with the relevant authorities and stakeholders to assess how these recommendations can best be translated into operational practice. Our goal is to help create the conditions for faster and more effective cross-border emergency response—because when lives are at stake, borders should never stand in the way of rescue.