Sri Lanka has begun preliminary discussions on introducing a passenger drone service, with Chinese company EHang presenting its autonomous aerial vehicle technology to government officials as a potential solution for tourism and emergency response.
Sri Lanka's Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation has held discussions with EHang, a Chinese autonomous aerial vehicle manufacturer, regarding the potential introduction of passenger drone services in the country. The meeting brought together Minister Anura Karunathilaka and an EHang delegation including Chief Financial Officer Conor Yang and General Manager of Operations Xiao Na Lee to explore the feasibility of the project.
The proposed service could serve multiple purposes, according to government officials, including supporting tourism activities, assisting in emergency and disaster response operations, and facilitating maritime-related functions. EHang presented its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft technology, which features a two-passenger capacity with 16 propellers, 12 battery packs, and three independent flight-control systems. The aircraft would operate autonomously using artificial intelligence technology managed from a central control facility.
Potential applications discussed included scenic flights around landmarks such as Sigiriya and Pidurangala, as well as urban services connecting Bandaranaike International Airport to hotels in Colombo. EHang representatives indicated that such airport-to-city journeys could cost between US$20 and US$30 per passenger. Officials also proposed establishing a demonstration zone within Colombo's Port City development.
Before any commercial operations could commence, the project would require formal regulatory approvals addressing aviation safety, air traffic management, emergency procedures, cybersecurity, and data protection measures. Implementation would necessitate coordination among multiple government agencies, including the Civil Aviation Authority, Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka Air Force, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. Currently, the initiative remains in the discussion and planning phase.
