While much of the discussion around the Central New York economy has been centered on semiconductor giant Micron opening a new plant outside of Syracuse, the unmanned aerial system, or drone, industry and the growing advanced air mobility industry have been cementing themselves as key parts of the region’s economic ecosystem.

News Channel 9 talks with Ken Stewart, President and CEO of NUAIR, as he discusses the potential ban on DJI drones in the U.S. We dive into the implications for drone owners, the economic impact, and what the future holds for the industry. Don't miss these insights on the evolving landscape of drone technology!

For the third consecutive year, Ken Stewart and NUAIR named in City & State New York's Transportation Power 100.

"What’s happening in that NUAIR office, one floor above baggage claim, is helping lead the development of a multibillion-dollar national drone industry, which seeks to revolutionize everything from transportation and shipping to safety and security to farming and agriculture to construction and environmental monitoring..."

The center of the drone universe is in what at first glance appears to be the most unlikely of locations: among the bucolic farmlands and woodlands of Upstate NY – and especially Syracuse, NY. But this region has all the building blocks for leading the country in drone technologies.

NUAIR has officially launched NUAIR Defense, a dedicated hub designed to simplify the process of verifying, validating, and deploying defense technologies. The initiative aims to remove bottlenecks that slow down military adoption of next-generation capabilities across air, land, maritime, and multi-domain operations.

Earlier this month, the U.S.-Saudi Business Council ( USSBC ) led a delegation of 12 advanced air mobility (AAM) companies on a business development mission to Jeddah and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Nexa Capital Partners and industry association NUAIR partnered with the USSBC to organize this business development mission.

Date & Time: Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 3:00-4:00 PM ET In a time where defense agencies and industry leaders are struggling under the burden of unproven solutions, tight budgets, and tighter timelines, NUAIR Defense showcases the value of leveraging innovation from the commercial and defense sectors to create a streamlined, collaborative approach that gets both technology and operators mission ready at the speed of modern warfare. Join NUAIR as we go through this invaluable ecosystem of strategic partnerships and system offerings that is accelerating the fielding, verification, and training of next-generation defense solutions.

News Channel 9 talks with Ken Stewart, President and CEO of NUAIR on the latest advancements in drone technology and the exciting future of our industry. Don’t miss this chance to hear firsthand about NUAIR’s innovative projects and vision. Click the button below to hear about insights that could shape the future of air mobility!

As the Central New York region grows as a hub of UAS technology, NUAIR works with its partners to enable the next generation of aviation in our region and across the country. On this episode of Talk CNY presented by NBT Bank, NUAIR’s Executive Director Ken Stewart joins host Katie Zilcosky to discuss the organization’s success and how the industry is impacting Central New York.

What does it take to safely scale drone operations across 450 square miles of U.S. airspace — and why are countries like Saudi Arabia and Australia looking to replicate it?  NUAIR  might just have the answer.  Eszter Kovács , Co-founder and CEO of DroneTalks, sat down with  Ken Stewart , President and CEO of  NUAIR , to explore how their  Federal Aviation Administration  (FAA) approved BVLOS airspace, newly launched NUAIR Defense division, and integrated infrastructure are transforming both urban air mobility and national  defence  readiness.  Here are some key highlights:  NUAIR has completed over 6,000 flights in FAA-approved airspace spanning 450 square miles, supporting drone deliveries, defence trials, and more.  NUAIR Defense, their latest initiative, supports rapid, dual-use UAS testing and validation, with a mission to accelerate defence readiness through real-world operations.  Their Zero Conflict Area, a real-time deconfliction system, is powered by partners like  Hidden Level ,  Aloft , and much more — built for safe integration of uncrewed systems.  NUAIR’s frameworks are informing AAM strategies from New York to Riyadh and shaping the future of low-altitude aviation worldwide.

Secretary Duffy Hosts Press Conference on Unleashing American Drone Dominance SYRACUSE, NY – August 5, 2025 – Highly anticipated, the latest Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) has been released. The long awaited NPRM focuses on enabling routine beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). This landmark proposal represents a foundational step toward unlocking scalable and safe drone operations in the national airspace.   On the heels of the recent Executive Orders aimed at Unleashing American Drone Dominance  and Restoring American Airspace Sovereignty , the BVLOS NPRM responds to growing demands across government and industry for clear, actionable regulatory pathways.   “NUAIR applauds the FAA for releasing this critical proposal and for recognizing the importance of expanding operational capabilities for UAS,” said Ken Stewart, President and CEO of NUAIR . “We have long supported the advancement of BVLOS rulemaking, and we’re encouraged by the direction this NPRM is heading. This is an essential move for unlocking the full potential of drone technology across infrastructure, emergency response, agriculture, and more.”   Normalizing and standardizing BVLOS operations unlocks significant benefits across multiple industries. From infrastructure to emergency response, drone programs will be able to leverage drones for more efficient, safety, and cost-effective operations.   NUAIR remains committed to supporting safe integration of advanced UAS operations and will continue working alongside industry partners and federal agencies to guide the final rulemaking process. NUAIR’s recent Letter of Acceptance from the FAA for Surveillance-as-a-Service  is a testament to the dedication from both FAA and industry to move safe and secure BVLOS operations forward.   Industry leaders are calling on stakeholders to actively engage during the public comment period. As Liz Forro of the Commercial Drone Alliance stated, “Everyone who benefits from drone operations today should raise their voice in support of this progress and provide concrete advice to regulators on how to further refine the proposal.”   Read the announcement from U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy here: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/trumps-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-unveils-rule-unleash-american-drone .     About NUAIR NUAIR is a nonprofit driving economic development through innovations in UAS and Advanced Air Mobility to safely integrate into the national airspace. With support from Empire State Development and the State of New York, NUAIR is empowering and enabling the next generation of aviation.    With a rich history performing UAS testing and validation, investing in local and state economic development, and training public safety elite, the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance, Inc. (NUAIR) is proud to be the catalyst to not only New York’s airspace innovation, but mobility advancement around the globe.    NUAIR. Where Next Takes Flight.     Media Inquiries | marketing@NUAIR.org