Sri Lanka to use drones for air passenger transport

Sri Lankan civil aviation authorities are planning to use drones in air passenger transport.

The Director General of the Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Thaminda Rambukwella, told the Sooriyan News Unit that decisions are taken to plan out using drones in transporting passengers with a limitation of 06 passengers per turn.

He said that the initial discussions regarding this project have been completed.

Captain Thaminda Rambukwella added that steps have been taken to implement this project in collaboration with institutions, including the Ministry of Transport, based on the advice of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

Accordingly, a team from Thailand, affiliated with the manufacturing company that supplies the drones, will also arrive in the country by the end of this month to plane out the next phase of activities of the project.

Captain Thaminda Rambukwella explained that discussions will be held on the launch and development of the drone transport service through the committee.

He said that it has also been decided to develop this project as an investment project through a public-private partnership.

Accordingly, the transport service is seeking possibilities of expanding into cargo transport as well.

The Civil Aviation Authority has also announced that this project is an efficient method for general domestic transport, transport to mountainous areas and tourist destinations.

Accordingly, technical training for drone operators and regulations for implementing this transport service will be carried out by the Civil Aviation Authority.

Captain Thaminda Rambukwella, told the Sun News Unit that this project will be a low-cost, highly efficient transport service.