Chinese advanced air mobility (AAM) company EHang has launched a global fast-track programme to speed the assessment and introduction of pilotless eVTOL operations in international markets.

Sri Lanka is the first country to try the initiative, with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Ports & Civil Aviation, and the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) adopting the programme for sandbox commercialisation within four months, subject to the completion of mandatory regulatory, technical, operational and safety assessments.

The programme is expected to expedite the deployment of EHang’s pilotless eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft from initial regulatory engagement to commercial operations in new international markets.

Built on EHang’s complete certifications for pilotless passenger eVTOL aircraft, its commercial operating experience in China, and proven safe flight records across 23 countries, this structured framework delivers a validation‑driven pathway. It is expected to enable international civil-aviation authorities and partners to streamline certification and commercial roll‑out for pilotless eVTOL operations, aiming to compress timelines from years to months.

This framework distils the practical experience EHang has accumulated through years of engagement from scratch with multiple civil aviation authorities, including operational learnings from early sandbox projects, as well as EHang staff covering the full end-to-end workflow spanning technology, airworthiness and flight operations to address regulatory requirements.

Sri Lanka is the first country to join the programme, targeting initial sandbox commercialisation within four months. Recently, EHang held in-depth multi-round discussions with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Ports & Civil Aviation and the CAASL, alongside cross-government stakeholders from defence, tourism, investment and aviation services.

During the meetings, both sides exchanged views on core topics covering eVTOL regulatory sandbox establishment, implementation pathway, regulatory requirements, operational framework, aircraft and technical requirements, infrastructure, airspace considerations, maintenance arrangements, personnel requirements, and multi-sector stakeholder coordination.

Initial operations will focus on a designated sandbox zone centred on Port City in Colombo, where eVTOL operational services will be established. Potential routes under consideration include scenic flights over tourist attractions and shuttle services connecting Katunayake Airport to hotels in central Colombo. Unmanned maritime cargo logistics applications are also being explored.

EHang will act as the provider of eVTOL aircraft, operation systems, technical services and personnel training, advancing the safe and structured roll‑out of eVTOL demonstration and trial operations in Sri Lanka in alignment with international aviation safety standards.

EHang (www.ehang.com) develops and manufactures pilotless eVTOL aircraft for a wide range of use cases, including aerial tourism, intra-city transport, intercity travel, logistics and emergency firefighting.

• EHang has announced a cooperation framework agreement of intent with China Construction Sixth Engineering Bureau, a top-tier state-owned infrastructure giant in China. The partnership intends to focus on low-altitude infrastructure development and operational scenario planning. The Cross-Sea Low-Altitude Corridor Project in Lingao, Hainan, is the first project to break ground under the partnership, aiming to establish a closed-loop low altitude economy ecosystem that integrates infrastructure and commercial operations.