Drones Get Permission for First-Ever Long-Haul Flights Over Open Ocean

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has authorized Skyways, an Austin-based company, to conduct the first-ever commercial drone flight beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) from the U.S. coastline out over the Gulf of Mexico. The mission will use Skyways' autonomous V2 vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, launching from a Shell facility in Louisiana to an offshore platform.

This milestone demonstrates how drones can support critical offshore infrastructure, performing pipeline inspections en route and a simulated equipment delivery at the platform. It represents a major regulatory shift, opening the door to long-range, over-water commercial drone operations that could transform offshore logistics, maintenance, and cargo delivery. The era of drones flying missions far out at sea is officially beginning.