Sri Lanka explores passenger drone services with EHang

Sri Lanka is exploring the introduction of passenger drone services through a proposed partnership with Chinese autonomous aerial vehicle company EHang. The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) has accepted EHang’s Global Fast-Track Programme proposals to establish an electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) sandbox, with a target for initial commercialization within four months.

The proposed service aims to support tourism, emergency response, and maritime operations. Potential applications include flights around Sigiriya and Pidurangala, as well as transport between Bandaranaike International Airport and Colombo. EHang representatives suggested that a trip from the airport to a Colombo hotel could potentially cost between US$20 and US$30.

Implementation requires extensive coordination between several state institutions, including the Ministry of Defence, the Sri Lanka Air Force, and the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission. The project remains in the discussion and planning stages, pending formal approvals regarding aviation safety, air traffic management, cybersecurity, and data protection.