French professional drones: who owns them and what is their purpose?
Number of professional drone operators in France.
8837 is the number of professional drone operators (equipment weighing more than 800 grams) in France in 2019 (figure from the January 2020 issue of Aviation Civile by the DGAC). This represents an official growth of around 38% per year over the last three years.
This number is fairly divided between: (i) individuals (approximately 5,000) with various statuses (self-employed, liberal professions, individuals) and owning a professional drone, and (ii) companies (approximately 3,800).
These operators manage a fleet of approximately 15,500 drones.
To date, the drone market remains very much in its infancy and fragmented: the largest player is Delta Drone (approximately 200 drones), followed by the CNRS (approximately 110 drones). Around 300 companies own more than 5 drones, and the majority own 1 or 2 drones.
The large groups
Around twenty large groups (representing a fleet of around 600 devices) operate drones.
They are investing in this market by opening specialized services: Enedis (approximately 120 drones), RTE-SDH (150 drones planned), SNCF through its dedicated subsidiary Altametris (approximately 50 drones), Bureau Veritas or even La Banque Postale.
These companies integrate this vector into their business application on various themes: (i) Aerial photography to control the proper execution of missions entrusted to subcontractors (for example, vegetation pruning), site monitoring, inspection of engineering structures, etc.
The most significant event of 2019, however, remains the opening of two parcel delivery lines by La Banque Postale. This landmark development officially opens a new market segment for professional drones.
Ldrone manufacturers
Competition is fierce: DJI, a Chinese manufacturer, produces approximately 701,300 drones (for leisure and professional use) worldwide.
However, France is still home to several drone manufacturers, including Delta Volt, Delair and Dronevolt, representing around twenty companies (with approximately 600 drones listed). These companies primarily develop specific solutions for tailor-made segments.
Drone training centers
Many companies have positioned themselves in this market segment.
The most significant event of 2019 was the increase in companies dedicated exclusively to this activity: 45 companies, with an average of ten registered professional drones, are dedicated to this activity (approximately 430 drones).
This segment of activity therefore experienced strong growth in 2019, with the strengthening of regulations imposing important theoretical and practical aptitude certificates.
Service providers
After a detailed analysis of companies operating more than 5 professional drones (approximately 215 companies operating around 1,600 drones), it appears that certain sectors of activity are reserved for specialized companies:
- Around ten companies (approximately 70 drones) are working in precision agriculture (swarming, etc.);
- Around ten companies (approximately 90 drones) operate in the field of surveillance and security;
- Around twenty companies (approximately 180 drones) are conducting engineering studies (data collection and analysis); and
- Approximately 25 companies (200 drones) work with the film industry.
Many companies still maintain very general expertise. For example, nearly 150 companies (with almost 1,060 drones) offer aerial photography services or technical studies such as structural inspections. However, the trend confirms an increasingly specialized positioning of these companies (better expertise, possession of specialized equipment).
In this context, and to support market growth, France needs experienced drone pilots and there are many employment and/or subcontracting opportunities in this sector.
