Tourists arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport could potentially travel to hotels in Colombo by passenger drone for an estimated fare of US$20–30 per trip under a proposed service being explored by Sri Lanka.
The proposal was discussed at a special meeting held at the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation under the patronage of Minister Anura Karunathilaka, with the participation of Chinese company EHang, which has offered to provide passenger drone services.
EHang Chief Financial Officer Conor Yang and General Manager of Operations Xiao Na Lee led the company’s delegation. Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Ministry Secretary W.W.S. Mangala, Civil Aviation Authority Director General Damith Rambukwella and senior officials also attended.
The proposed service is being considered primarily as a new mode of transport for tourists, while also exploring its potential use in emergency and disaster response and maritime navigation.
During the meeting, the Minister highlighted that passenger safety would be a key priority and that the service could not commence commercial operations without the necessary approvals from Sri Lankan aviation authorities.
These approvals would have to cover aviation safety, the regulatory framework, airspace control, emergency operations, cybersecurity, data security and the establishment of appropriate take-off and landing sites.
The implementation of the project would also require coordination with several institutions, including the Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka Air Force, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, Board of Investment, Colombo Port City Economic Commission, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and airport and airline authorities.
Officials said that telecommunications approvals would be particularly important because the aircraft depend on remote-control and communication technologies.
EHang representatives provided details of the technology during the discussion. The proposed aircraft are electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles, which can take off and land vertically without requiring a conventional runway.
According to the company, less than 900 square metres of space would be needed for take-off and landing. The two-passenger aircraft have 16 propellers and are designed to maintain flight safety even in the event of certain technical failures.
The aircraft are operated automatically through a central control room using artificial intelligence. They are equipped with 12 battery packs, and three flight-control systems are designed to improve stability and safety during emergencies.
The discussions also focused on the potential use of passenger drones to provide tourists with quicker access to attractions such as Sigiriya and Pidurangala, as well as destinations in Colombo and the Port City.
A proposal was made to establish a model zone in the Port City where the aircraft could initially be operated and evaluated.
The proposed service is still at the discussion and evaluation stage, and further regulatory, safety and technical assessments will be required before commercial passenger drone operations can begin in Sri Lanka.
(Pradeep Chathuranga Samarawickrama for the Daily Mirror)