Results of EAASI’s first industry survey

To gain insight into how the crewed aerial surveying sector is navigating the transforming geospatial landscape, the European Association of Aerial Surveying Industries (EAASI) recently conducted its first-ever industry survey. The results offer a first baseline snapshot of where European aerial survey operators stand in this moment of industry-wide transformation.

The geospatial sector stands at a decisive moment. As the Association for Geographic Information’s Foresight Report 2030 notes, the industry “isn’t simply evolving, it’s fundamentally reconstituting itself”. New technologies, changing client demands and evolving workforce capabilities are reshaping how mapping and surveying professionals operate across Europe and beyond. Within this transforming landscape, crewed aerial surveying occupies a unique position. To understand how this specialized sector is navigating these broader forces, EAASI conducted its inaugural industry survey from mid-December 2025 through mid-January 2026.

A sector defined by specialization

The survey respondents, primarily EAASI members and stakeholders, represent the full crewed aerial surveying ecosystem. Aerial survey service providers – companies that operate crewed aircraft equipped with specialized sensors to capture geospatial data – dominate at 62% of responses, followed by manufacturers of aircraft and sensors (20%) and software developers (9%). Universities, national mapping authorities and government agencies make up the remaining respondents. Geographically, Europe remains the centre of gravity with 71% of respondents, though North America, Asia and Oceania provide international perspectives reflecting the global reach of European firms.

There is considerable variation in company size. Small firms with fewer than 50 employees represent the largest segment, followed by medium-sized companies with up to 250 employees, while larger organizations maintain a meaningful presence. This distribution mirrors the European aerial survey landscape itself, which is dominated by specialized service providers and regionally focused firms rather than large multinational operators.

Measured optimism and steady growth

Market sentiment is cautiously positive. 33% of respondents describe the current market as strong, 20% as very strong and 33% as stable. Only 13% perceive weakness. Looking ahead, 47% of respondents anticipate moderate growth over the next three years, 9% foresee significant growth and 36% expect stability. Just 9% anticipate a decline.

This measured optimism reflects a sector confident in its core value proposition despite broader industry uncertainties. For crewed aerial surveying, the outlook suggests neither disruption nor stagnation, but steady demand rooted in specific high-value applications.

Demand drivers: precision at scale

The survey reveals clear concentration in applications where high-resolution, multi-sensor data delivers maximum value. National mapping programmes and urban development/digital twins are the top priorities, each cited by 67% of respondents, followed by infrastructure and construction projects (56%) and environmental and climate monitoring (27%).

These priorities align with broader geospatial trends. Digital twins represent one of the key forces reshaping the sector, with the convergence of physical and digital realities demanding precisely georeferenced, frequently updated data. Crewed aerial platforms, with their ability to carry sophisticated sensor arrays and cover large areas efficiently, appear well positioned to serve this emerging market.

Technology investment: multi-sensor integration leads

Technological evolution remains a central aspect of the sector. Investment priorities underscore the ongoing emphasis on high-precision, multi-sensor data acquisition. Lidar leads as the most prioritized technology, mentioned by 69% of respondents. Multi-sensor fusion (51%) and AI data processing (49%) follow closely, reflecting the growing importance of integrating diverse data streams and applying machine learning to extract actionable insights. Oblique imagery (47%) and large-format cameras (36%) continue to be essential for 3D modelling and urban planning applications, while hyperspectral and thermal imaging (20%) are emerging priorities for niche environmental monitoring tasks.

While nearly half of respondents prioritize artificial intelligence (AI) for data processing workflows, the industry appears to be in the early adoption phase. The emphasis on advanced data processing indicates that software and analytical capabilities are rapidly becoming as important as flight operations, though full-scale deployment of AI-driven solutions remains an evolving area.

Skills for a data-centric future

Responses about the critical workforce skills for the next three years signal a sector in transition. Advanced data processing leads at 49%, followed by multi-sensor integration (44%), AI adoption (44%) and aircraft operations optimization (40%). Project management is mentioned by 13% of respondents.

These results reveal a workforce evolving toward data-centric capabilities. The ability to operate complex sensor systems, integrate multiple data streams and leverage AI-driven analytics is increasingly defining the skillset required in the sector. While aircraft operations remain essential, the emphasis on processing, integration and AI adoption underscores that competitive advantage increasingly lies in extracting insights from captured data.

EAASI’s strategic role

When it comes to the key organizational priorities, technical knowledge exchange and promotion of crewed aerial surveying score 42% each. These are followed by advocacy with European institutions and regulatory dialogue with aviation organizations (38% each) and standardization of data and processes (31%).

The dual emphasis on knowledge exchange and sector promotion reflects members’ recognition that crewed aerial surveying must actively assert its value proposition within an increasingly crowded geospatial ecosystem. As satellites improve in resolution and drones expand capabilities, operators see EAASI as both a technical resource and an advocacy platform.

Standardization carries strategic importance. As digital twins and other emerging applications demand interoperable data from multiple sources, common standards become essential for market access. EAASI’s role in shaping these standards could prove critical to long-term competitiveness.

Opportunities and competitive pressures

In the open-ended responses, survey respondents highlight a number of strategic opportunities for the European aerial surveying sector over the next few years. Among the most cited are the development of digital twins and urban modelling, which can provide high-value, large-scale datasets for smart city planning and infrastructure management. Continuous monitoring of landscapes and assets using crewed aerial surveys also emerge as a key opportunity, allowing organizations to move beyond episodic data collection towards more regular, actionable insights. In addition, automation and AI-driven workflows are frequently mentioned as tools to streamline operations, reduce manual processing and enhance the value of collected data.

At the same time, the survey reveals significant threats that could shape the sector’s evolution. Respondents express concern over the increasing availability and perceived sufficiency of satellite imagery, which may compete with crewed aerial services for certain applications. Similarly, the growing accessibility and capability of uncrewed aerial vehicles (drones) present competition for smaller-scale or lower-cost projects. Lastly, broader geopolitical and market pressures are noted as potential challenges, highlighting the need for strategic advocacy and industry coordination to protect and advance the sector’s interests.

Conclusion

EAASI’s survey provides a clear baseline for the crewed aerial surveying sector, establishing a reference point against which future trends can be measured. Subsequent surveys will reveal whether the moderate growth expectations observed today come to fruition, whether AI adoption accelerates, and whether digital twins develop into the transformative applications that operators anticipate. Most importantly, these ongoing assessments will track how this specialized segment navigates the competitive and technological pressures reshaping geospatial intelligence.

The 2025 EAASI survey portrays a sector in transition yet resilient, with crewed aerial surveys continuing to offer a distinct value proposition for projects requiring precision and complex data integration. As technologies, data workflows and professional skillsets evolve, EAASI members are preparing for a more data-centric, multi-sensor future – one that promises to uphold the relevance and growth of crewed aerial surveying across Europe and beyond.