Sri Lanka plans to launch commercial passenger drone operations, often referred to as flying taxis, within the next two to three months, subject to successful initial flight trials scheduled for November 11, Minister Anura Karunatilake said.
The Minister said preliminary testing of the pilot project is currently underway at Colombo Port City, with the necessary approvals obtained from the Ministry of Defence, Civil Aviation Authority and other relevant institutions.
Chinese aviation technology company EHang is leading the project, while the Sri Lankan government is providing policy support, infrastructure assistance and the necessary regulatory approvals.
“We expect to begin the initial flight operations on November 11. If the project is successful, we hope to commence commercial operations within the next two to three months,” the Minister said.
During the initial phase, the passenger drones will be used primarily for tourism, offering local and foreign visitors an opportunity to enjoy aerial views of Colombo and its surrounding areas.
The Minister said the government also hopes to expand the service to other tourist destinations, including Sigiriya and Jaffna, if the initial operations prove successful.
The project is expected to introduce a new form of tourism experience in Sri Lanka, using electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft designed to transport passengers without a pilot on board.
The Minister said the government would continue to coordinate with aviation and defence authorities to ensure the necessary regulatory and safety requirements are met before commercial operations begin. (Newswire)
