Industry news digest · Unmanned Airspace
Sri Lanka’s Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation announced plans to commence the country’s first commercial electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) operations led by Chinese company EHang within the next two to three months, pending successful initial flight trials scheduled for November 11, 2026. The pilot project will initially focus on aerial tourism services in Colombo, with intentions to expand to other tourist destinations such as Sigiriya and Jaffna
The Sri Lankan government is providing policy support, infrastructure, and regulatory approvals. This initiative is part of EHang’s Global Fast Track Programme to accelerate pilotless eVTOL operations internationally, with Sri Lanka as the inaugural market, according to the company
Source: Unmanned Airspace
eVTOL Insights announced the judging panel for its 2027 Global Advanced Air Mobility Awards, featuring previous winners reviewing entries across more than 30 categories. The awards ceremony will take place in Scottsdale, Arizona, following the Advanced Air Mobility conference in April 2027
Read storyEHang signed a non-binding cooperation framework agreement with Huantian Sanjiu International Air Rescue at the 2026 Guangzhou Business Aviation Expo. The partnership focuses on exploring coordinated use of pilotless eVTOL aircraft alongside helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and ground medical resources for emergency medical rescue
Read storyElectra and VertiPorts by Atlantic announced a memorandum of understanding to explore infrastructure opportunities enabling ultra-short takeoff and landing (USTOL) aircraft operations closer to where people live and work in the US. The collaboration will assess using barges, piers, and elevated surfaces to convert new and existing sites in New York City into operational hubs for these aircraft
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