As the race to launch electric air taxis moves beyond prototypes, EHang is betting it has found a faster way to bring its pilotless aircraft to new countries.
The China-based advanced air mobility company has unveiled its Global Fast Track Program, a framework designed to help aviation regulators move from initial evaluations to commercial eVTOL operations in months instead of years. Sri Lanka has become the first country to adopt the initiative, with officials targeting an initial regulatory sandbox for commercial operations within four months, provided all required safety, technical, operational, and regulatory approvals are successfully completed.
For EHang, the program is about avoiding the need for every country to start from square one. Instead, the company wants regulators to build on the experience it has already gained through certifications in China, commercial operations there, and flight demonstrations across 23 countries.
Rather than creating a one-size-fits-all certification process, the Fast Track Program provides a structured roadmap that governments can adapt while evaluating EHang’s already-certified pilotless passenger aircraft.
The program follows four major phases: aligning regulatory requirements, building the operational sandbox and supporting infrastructure, conducting validation flights under established safety standards, and finally moving into commercial passenger service once approvals are granted.
According to EHang, the framework incorporates years of experience working with aviation authorities, along with lessons learned from early demonstration projects covering aircraft technology, airworthiness, operations, and regulatory compliance.
Sri Lanka is now set to become the first real-world test of that approach. The company has spent recent months meeting with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), and officials representing tourism, defense, aviation services, and investment agencies. Those discussions focused on everything from certification requirements and airspace management to maintenance, pilotless operations, infrastructure, and personnel training.
Initial operations are expected to center on Colombo’s Port City, where regulators plan to establish an eVTOL sandbox for demonstration and trial services.
If the project moves forward as planned, tourists could eventually take scenic sightseeing flights over Sigiriya and nearby Pidurangala, while visitors arriving at Katunayake International Airport may also have the option of using eVTOL shuttle services into central Colombo. Authorities are also exploring unmanned cargo flights for maritime logistics, expanding the technology beyond passenger transportation.
Under the agreement, EHang will supply the aircraft, operating systems, technical support, and training needed for the demonstration program while working alongside Sri Lankan regulators to ensure operations meet international aviation safety standards.
Sri Lanka’s Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Anura Karunathilaka, said the country sees advanced air mobility as an opportunity to strengthen tourism, improve emergency response capabilities, and support maritime logistics. He added that EHang’s structured rollout plan aligns with the government’s goals of safely introducing new aviation technologies.
Meanwhile, CAASL director general and CEO Capt. Daminda Rambukwella emphasized that the four-month timeline represents a target rather than a guarantee. Any commercial operations will still depend on successfully completing all required regulatory, technical, operational, and safety assessments before approval.
EHang founder, chairman, and CEO Hu Huazhi described the Fast Track Program as a potential breakthrough for international expansion, arguing that regulators can validate an already-certified aircraft instead of beginning a lengthy certification process from scratch. He also revealed that EHang is already in discussions with aviation authorities in several other countries, suggesting Sri Lanka could be the first of many international markets to test the company’s pilotless air taxi roadmap.
If the model proves successful, it could offer a blueprint for accelerating eVTOL deployment worldwide while allowing regulators to maintain oversight of safety and operational standards.
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