• A transition period until 17 November 2025 is established to facilitate the adoption of operators to this new version published by EASA.
• AESA, in its commitment to the UAS industry, will organize an informative day to solve the doubts of operators and facilitate the correct implementation of SORA 2.5

 

Madrid, 17 October 2025 (EASA)

On September 29, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) published version 2.5 of the SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) methodology, which is established as valid for risk assessment in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations within the specific category. 

This new version introduces substantial improvements that seek to facilitate its application by operators, harmonise its interpretation in the Member States and reduce the documentary burden in certain operations.

 Transition period

Although SORA 2.5 enters into force immediately, a transition period has been established to facilitate the adaptation of operators. Therefore, until 17 November 2025, applications for authorisation may continue to be submitted in accordance with the previous version: SORA 2.0. Authorisations granted under this methodology shall be valid for a maximum of one year.

With this, as of 18 November 2025, the submission of applications under SORA 2.5 will only be allowed through the EASA Electronic Headquarters.

 It is important to note that operators who have already submitted applications under SORA 2.0 will not be required to carry out any additional procedures or submit new documentation. However, modifications to authorisations processed under SORA 2.0 involving significant changes – beyond the inclusion of already authorised model serial numbers – will require a new application under SORA 2.5 from that date.

In order to support this transition, AESA will soon update on its website the formats and guidance materials necessary for the application of authorizations under the new methodology. In addition, an information day will be organized, whose announcement will be made through the official website and social networks of the Agency, aimed at resolving any doubts that may arise among operators and facilitating the correct implementation of SORA 2.5.

 Whatare the advantages of SORA 2.5?

The SORA 2.5 version, published by EASA, introduces significant improvements that seek to facilitate its implementation and harmonise its interpretation in the Member States:

• Simplification and clarification of the texts, which will allow operators to understand and apply the methodology more easily.
• Reducing the scope for interpretation, which contributes to a more coherent application across the European Union.
• Decrease in documentation required for VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) classified operations up to SAIL II.
• More precise guidance on the responsibilities of the UAS designer and operator.

 For more information, you can consult the official decision of EASA at the following link.

About AESA

AESA is the State body, attached to the Secretary of State for Transport of the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, which ensures that civil aviation standards are complied with in all aeronautical activity in Spain.

The Agency has the missions of Supervision, Inspection and Management of Air Transport, Air Navigation and Airport Security. It assesses risks to transport safety and has the power to impose penalties for breaches of civil aviation rules.