Sri Lanka Launches Pilot of Chinese Flying Taxi Service
Thestandard · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Sri Lanka has taken a major step into the future of urban transportation by launching a pilot program for Chinese-made flying taxis. The Civil Aviation Authority granted EHang, a leading Chinese drone manufacturer, a licence to test its two-seater, pilotless electric aircraft at Colombo Port City . Ports and Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilaka and his deputy Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku became the first passengers when the aircraft conducted its inaugural demonstration flight on November 11, 2026 . The authorities said testing could continue for about five months before commercial services may be permitted, with plans to eventually operate routes between the airport and Colombo city centre .
Key Points
- The EHang EH216-S aircraft completed its first test flight over Colombo Port City on November 11, 2026, marking Sri Lanka's entry into autonomous aerial transport
- The pilotless two-seater aircraft is powered by 16 electric motors and 16 propellers, with 12 battery packs, a maximum take-off weight of 620 kg, and can operate for about 25 minutes covering up to 30 km
- Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said Sri Lanka was joining a race among more than a dozen countries to introduce passenger-drone services
- The proposed initial route would connect the airport to Colombo city centre, a journey that currently takes about half an hour by car
- Potential applications being explored include tourism routes between attractions such as Sigiriya and Pidurangala, emergency services, and logistics connections to surrounding islands
Why It Matters
Sri Lanka's adoption of EHang's eVTOL technology positions it as a potential pioneer in urban air mobility within South Asia . The successful deployment of flying taxis could address the island nation's traffic congestion challenges while opening new tourism and emergency service possibilities across its geographic terrain .
Sri Lanka's adoption of EHang's eVTOL technology positions it as a potential pioneer in urban air mobility within South Asia . The successful deployment of flying taxis could address the island nation's traffic congestion challenges while opening new tourism and emergency service possibilities across its geographic terrain .