About the
Flight Information Management System (FIMS)
Australia's drone industry is growing rapidly, creating new opportunities across industries such as transport, logistics, agriculture, mining, emergency services and infrastructure inspection. As drone operations become more frequent and more complex, operators need easier access to airspace information, faster approvals and greater confidence when planning flights.
That’s why we’re delivering a Flight Information Management System (FIMS), the digital foundation of Australia's future Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) ecosystem. Launching in 2026, the FIMS will help connect operators to trusted airspace information and digital services through approved UAS Service Suppliers (USS), supporting safe, efficient and scalable drone operations across Australia.
Australia's drone industry is growing rapidly, creating new opportunities across industries such as transport, logistics, agriculture, mining, emergency services and infrastructure inspection. As drone operations become more frequent and more complex, operators need easier access to airspace information, faster approvals and greater confidence when planning flights.
That’s why we’re delivering a Flight Information Management System (FIMS), the digital foundation of Australia's future Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) Traffic Management (UTM) ecosystem. Launching in 2026, the FIMS will help connect operators to trusted airspace information and digital services through approved UAS Service Suppliers (USS), supporting safe, efficient and scalable drone operations across Australia.
What FIMS delivers:
- Faster access to airspace through streamlined, digital and automated authorisations.
- Access to trusted airspace information through approved USS providers.
- Simplified flight planning and operational coordination.
- Greater certainty when planning and conducting drone operations.
- A foundation for future UTM services and industry growth.
What FIMS delivers:
- Faster access to airspace through streamlined, digital and automated authorisations.
- Access to trusted airspace information through approved USS providers.
- Simplified flight planning and operational coordination.
- Greater certainty when planning and conducting drone operations.
- A foundation for future UTM services and industry growth.
Supporting growth in
Australia's drone industry
The Australian drone industry is entering a period of significant growth. Independent analysis commissioned by Airservices projects:
- Commercial drone flights will grow by approximately 20% per year over the next two decades.
- Around 60 million drone flights are expected annually by 2043.
- More than three-quarters of those flights are expected to occur in transport and logistics applications.
As operations increase, particularly in urban and densely populated areas, new digital services will be required to maintain safe, efficient and equitable access to airspace. FIMS is a key enabler of that future.
Learn more about the size of the future drone industry in Australia.
How FIMS works
FIMS acts as the trusted digital backbone of Australia's UTM ecosystem.
Airservices provides authoritative airspace information through FIMS, while approved UAS Service Suppliers (USS) deliver services directly to drone operators through their own applications and platforms.
This approach ensures a single, trusted source of information through a competitive market of UAS service providers, enabling innovation while ensuring operators have access to consistent and reliable airspace information wherever they fly.
Benefits of FIMS for
Drone operators
Faster flight authorisations
Eligible operators will be able to request automated authorisations within 3 NM of 28 civil controlled airports, through participating USS providers. For eligible requests in locations where automated approvals are available, authorisations can be granted near instantly - reducing the need for manual processing and helping operators access airspace faster and with greater certainty.
Access to trusted airspace information
Operators will have access to authoritative airspace information delivered through approved USS providers. This improves accessibility, supports better decision-making and provides confidence that operators are working with trusted information.
What's included:
- Aerodromes, Aircraft Landing Areas (ALAs) and Helicopter Landing Sites.
- Airspace types and geometries.
- Special use airspace.
- No-fly zones.
- Airspace levels expressed as Above Ground Level (AGL).
- Airspace frequencies.
- Controlled airspace responsible control unit/service.
- Airspace activation schedules which are not subject to change by NOTAM.
- Additional information services and data types will be introduced over time as FIMS capabilities evolve.
Improved flight planning
Operators will be able to access information that supports more informed flight planning, including airspace restrictions, operational constraints and known nearby drone activity.
This helps operators prepare for flights more efficiently and operate with greater confidence.
Supporting future growth
FIMS establishes the digital foundation for Australia's future UTM ecosystem.
As drone operations continue to scale, FIMS will support new services, increased automation and greater levels of airspace integration, helping enable the next generation of drone operations across Australia.
Why this matters
Drone operations are becoming an increasingly important part of Australia's economy, supporting industries such as logistics, infrastructure inspection, agriculture, emergency management and in future passenger transport services.
FIMS helps create the trusted digital infrastructure needed to support this growth, ensuring operators, service providers and government agencies can work from a shared picture of the airspace as the industry continues to evolve.
NOTAMS are not included in the initial release of FIMS
The initial FIMS release includes authoritative static aeronautical information only; dynamic data is not available. NOTAM information or AIP SUP data is not currently available through FIMS and RPAS operators should continue to obtain all required operational information from existing approved sources (i.e. NAIPS for current NOTAMS) as part of their normal flight planning processes. RPAS operators should also note that FIMS and USS are not the sole or complete source of aeronautical information to rely on for operational decision-making.
Benefits of FIMS for
UAS Service Suppliers (USS)
FIMS enables approved USS to build innovative digital products and services using trusted airspace information and capabilities provided through Airservices.
By connecting to FIMS, USS providers become part of Australia's growing UTM ecosystem, helping operators access airspace information, digital authorisations and future services through their own platforms and applications.
Airservices is committed to supporting an open USS market to support safer, more connected and more efficient drone operations.
Approved FIMS-connected USS will be able to:
- Connect directly to Australia's trusted UTM infrastructure.
- Deliver digital airspace authorisations at 28 civil controlled aerodromes and operational services to their customers.
- Access authoritative airspace information in modern, machine-readable formats.
- Develop value-added applications tailored to different operator needs and use cases.
- Grow alongside Australia's rapidly expanding drone industry and future UTM capabilities.
Benefits of FIMS for
UAS Service Suppliers (USS)
FIMS enables approved USS to build innovative digital products and services using trusted airspace information and capabilities provided through Airservices.
By connecting to FIMS, USS providers become part of Australia's growing UTM ecosystem, helping operators access airspace information, digital authorisations and future services through their own platforms and applications.
Airservices is committed to supporting an open USS market to support safer, more connected and more efficient drone operations.
Approved FIMS-connected USS will be able to:
- Connect directly to Australia's trusted UTM infrastructure.
- Deliver digital airspace authorisations at 28 civil controlled aerodromes and operational services to their customers.
- Access authoritative airspace information in modern, machine-readable formats.
- Develop value-added applications tailored to different operator needs and use cases.
- Grow alongside Australia's rapidly expanding drone industry and future UTM capabilities.
How to get connected to FIMS
Once FIMS is live, drone operators can access FIMS through approved USS.
Current service suppliers are:
Additional eligible USS providers will be able to connect to FIMS through our onboarding process soon.
Interested in becoming a USS?
To be notified of future onboarding opportunities, join our mailing list at USSonboarding@airservicesaustralia.com.
Have your say
Proposed FIMS pricing model
Consultation is open on a proposed pricing model for supplier access to the Flight Information Management System (FIMS), which will support the safe integration of drones into Australian airspace. FIMS is a digital platform that connects Airservices with approved Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) Service Suppliers (USS) whose software applications will relay authoritative airspace and operational information to the growing number of drone operators.
The proposed pricing model only applies to approved USS that connect directly to FIMS. The FIMS pricing consultation is separate to the draft price notification Airservices has submitted to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission proposing an increase to the prices it charges airlines for its services. Consultation is open for four weeks, closing at 11:59 pm (AEST) on Sunday, 27 September 2026. Feedback received through this consultation will be considered before the pricing model is finalised.
Stakeholders can review the proposal and provide feedback via the Airservices Engage portal:
FIMS timeline
Where we're up to
Delivered
- Market analysis and future demand forecasting
- FIMS prototype development and operational trials
- Initial USS partner selection
- System testing and readiness activities
- USS integration and onboarding
What’s happening now
- Industry engagement and preparation
What’s next
- FIMS foundational capabilities available from the second half of 2026
- More onboarding opportunities for additional USS to connect to FIMS
Delivered
- Market analysis and future demand forecasting
- FIMS prototype development and operational trials
- Initial USS partner selection
- System testing and readiness activities
- USS integration and onboarding
What’s happening now
- Industry engagement and preparation
What’s next
- FIMS foundational capabilities available from the second half of 2026
- More onboarding opportunities for additional USS to connect to FIMS
Future Evolution
Following launch, Airservices will continue working with government and industry to explore and mature future UTM services, including increased automation, enhanced coordination capabilities and additional operational efficiencies.
Working together to shape the future
Uncrewed Services Advisory Network (USAN)
Airservices works closely with industry through the Uncrewed Services Advisory Network (USAN), which provides independent advice on emerging opportunities and challenges across the uncrewed aviation ecosystem.
USAN brings together stakeholders from across aviation, government and industry to help inform the future development of services supporting drones and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM).
Queries, support and feedback
Need support or have feedback? Get in touch via the contact us page on our website and select Uncrewed Aircraft (Drones/ RPAS/ UAS), FIMS or USS or Automated Airspace Authorisations (AAA).
Work with us
Airservices is at the forefront of Australian aviation. We are uniquely connected to all parts of the industry and offer exciting and innovative work across a range of operational and corporate roles.
Career paths on offer at Airservices include
Air Traffic Control, Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting, information technology, corporate support and more.