Sri Lanka held its first official demonstration of a pilotless passenger drone at Colombo Port City on 11 November. Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka rode in it. After landing he said: "It felt like I was flying."
Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said commercial passenger flights are expected to start within the next six months. The project begins as a six-month trial at Colombo Port City.
The aircraft is an EH216-S two-seater from the Chinese maker EHang. It has 16 propellers, 12 battery sets, three flight-control systems and a central computer. It is flown remotely from a control station and is designed to react automatically to emergencies or lost communication.
The project needs coordination between several bodies, including the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka, the Defence Ministry and the Sri Lanka Air Force.
Background
Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka
Aviation regulator
The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka has been involved in discussions with EHang Holdings and relevant government authorities on introducing the technology.
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EHang Holdings
Aviation technology company
The initiative involves Chinese aviation technology company EHang Holdings, which specialises in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
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Colombo Port City
Development zone
Passenger drones are currently undergoing test flights at Colombo Port City ahead of an official demonstration scheduled for November 11.
