A recent report by Markets and Markets estimates the current UAS market value at $2.24 billion and projects that value to double in the next five years. To tap into this growing industry, Lufthansa Aerial Services, a subsidiary of Lufthansa Consulting, has teamed up with Chinese UAS-manufacturer DJI to develop commercial applications for drones suitable for the customers of Lufthansa Aerial Services.
“The market potential of commercial drone applications is growing inexorably thanks to the continuously improving regulatory situation and speed of technological progress in the market and innovation that DJI as the global leader has initiated,” said Christian Hartmann, program director of Lufthansa Aerial Services. Hartmann envisions new applications such as infrastructure inspection, measuring and monitoring for the drones.
A pilot project was recently completed in which Lufthansa Aerial Services used DJI drones to inspect wind-turbine equipment. Other test projects have included aircraft inspections and other aviation related projects around the Frankfurt International Airport.
While commercial drone operations are readily available in Europe, companies generally prefer to outsource the work due to the complexity of operation and regulatory frameworks. Lufthansa Aerial Services hopes to fill that niche.
“Lufthansa will offer clients a one-stop UAV-shop,” said Andreas Jahnke, managing director of Lufthansa Consulting. “This includes everything from application consulting to drone operation with data analysis, to training and certification of drone pilots at Lufthansa Flight Training, or even the provision of drone insurance solutions through Delvag, Lufthansa’s in-house insurer.”
