Passenger drones set to take off in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has received its first passenger transport drone, according to reports citing the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL). The aircraft arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport. CAASL announced that an inaugural flight is planned at Colombo Port City before October ends.

The aircraft can take two passengers and has an estimated flight time of roughly half an hour. Colombo Port City is identified as the project’s first operating area. The proposed aircraft is pilotless and uses electric vertical take-off and landing technology.

Newswire reports that Sri Lanka is the first country to take part in a fast-track initiative created by Chinese technology company EHang to support the introduction of these aircraft in overseas markets. Passenger operations would require regulatory and safety approvals.

Possible routes include sightseeing flights over Sigiriya and Pidurangala, as well as transfers from Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake to Colombo hotels. The project may also consider uses in tourism and maritime logistics.

Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.