SINGAPORE — Close to 700 applications to fly drones were submitted from the end of June last year to the end of last month and about 70 to 75 per cent of these got the green light, said the Ministry of Transport yesterday in an update yesterday.

The bulk of these applications (514) were for a single activity or a block of repeated activities at a single area of operation with specific operational profiles and conditions.

Aerial photography, videography, surveillance and inspection, formed the bulk of such activities (87 per cent). Others include flight demonstrations and tests (8 per cent), flying displays (3 per cent), training and research and development (1 per cent respectively).

Some of the reasons for the authorities not granting a permit include an applicant not providing enough information or requesting to fly in prohibited areas.

The private sector accounted for nine in 10 of all applications, while public agencies accounted for the rest. AMANDA LEE