A pilotless electric flying taxi manufactured by Chinese firm EHang has completed its first demonstration test flight over the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo.
Sri Lanka Aviation Minister Anura Karunathilake and Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku took part in the maiden flight as passengers aboard the two-seater autonomous aircraft.
Speaking after landing, Karunathilake proudly noted that numerous countries across the world were attempting to introduce flying taxis and that Sri Lanka had now entered the global race.
The unmanned passenger craft relies on 16 electric motors for propulsion. According to technical specifications, the vehicle can lift a maximum weight of 620 kilograms and has an operational flying range of 30 kilometres.
Planned airport transit route
Sri Lankan transport officials expect the trial phase for the drone taxi to run for five months before any potential commercial services begin.
Authorities are considering deploying the aircraft commercially to connect central Colombo with the airport. The journey between the downtown district and the international terminal currently requires an average of 30 minutes by private car.
Urban air mobility challenges
Aviation manufacturers have spent more than a decade developing flying taxi prototypes in an effort to transform urban mobility. However, developers have faced significant hurdles in integrating pilotless aircraft into municipal transit networks. Most designs have remained at the demonstration stage or functioned as expensive novelties reserved for wealthy customers rather than practical public transport solutions.
The sector has expanded rapidly in recent years under the banner of urban air mobility, with aerospace startups and established industrial groups engineering electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles. Proponents argue that autonomous passenger drones can alleviate severe road congestion in major metropolitan centres and lower carbon emissions compared with traditional fossil-fuel vehicles.
Guangzhou-based EHang is among the leading global players in the pilotless electric aircraft industry. The Nasdaq-listed company has conducted trial flights across Asia, Europe and the Middle East, seeking international regulatory clearances to operate automated air shuttles in commercial airspace.
