Rapid urbanization, ever-increasing vehicle pressure on roads and everyday life traffic Jam has made commuting the biggest challenge in Indian metros. The hours it takes to travel from office to airport are not only a waste of time,
But are also affecting economic productivity and quality of life. In such a situation, a technology is now emerging which is claiming to provide a solution to this problem by flying above the road. Air Taxi India is being seen as the future of urban transportation, and the first concrete initiatives in this direction have already started in India.
Aerospace startup Sarala Aviation has started ground testing of the air taxi program at its manufacturing facility in Bengaluru. The company claims that this technology has the ability to convert hours of travel in cities into minutes. This air taxi, which takes off and lands directly like a helicopter, will not only provide relief from traffic jams, but can also give a new direction to the entire structure of urban transportation.
Preparation for the future started from Bengaluru
Sarala Aviation had unveiled its prototype air taxi ‘Zero’ during the Bharat Mobility Global Expo in January 2025. Since then, the company is continuously working towards putting this technology on the ground. According to the plan, Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing i.e. e-VTOL air taxi services will be started in Bengaluru by 2028. This is the same technology in which the aircraft does not need a runway and can take off directly from limited space.
It is noteworthy that in 2024, Bengaluru International Airport Limited had partnered with Sarala Aviation to launch electric flying taxi at Kempegowda International Airport. Its objective is to develop fast, safe and eco-friendly transportation options between the airport and major parts of the city.
India’s most advanced e-VTOL demonstrator
According to the company, it has started ground testing of its half-sized e-VTOL demonstrator SYLSA SYL-X1. It has a wingspan of 7.5 meters and is said to be the largest and most advanced e-VTOL demonstrator developed by the private sector in India. This sub-scale aircraft is designed to test structural strength, propulsion integration and system-level safety framework.
Sarala Aviation says that through this demonstrator, the company is testing all the technical aspects that will be required for a full-size air taxi model in the future. The project is considered an important stepping stone towards a full-scale aircraft with a 15 meter wingspan, which has been designed from the ground up keeping in mind civil aviation certification standards.
Air Taxi India Low capital, fast progress
The company claims that this feat has been achieved in just nine months and with less capital compared to global standards. It is also an important signal to India’s startup ecosystem that advanced aerospace technology is no longer limited to developed countries only. If everything goes as per plan, India can also emerge strongly on the global map in the field of urban air transport in the coming years.
Air Taxi India Key Features of Air Taxi
The air taxi is being designed in such a way that it suits the urban needs.
Once charged, it will be able to travel up to 30 kilometers.
Its maximum carrying capacity will be 680 kg.
It will be capable of flying at a speed of approximately 250 kilometers per hour.
6 passengers will be able to travel at one time.
Apart from this, it can also be used as an air ambulance service in emergency situations, through which serious patients can be taken to the hospital in less time.
Name dedicated to the first female pilot
Sarala Aviation was founded in October 2023 by Adrian Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar and Shivam Chauhan. The company is backed by big investors like Accel, Binny Bansal and Nikhil Kamath. Till now this startup has raised funding of about 1.3 crore dollars, i.e. about Rs 116 crore. The special thing is that the company has been named in honor of India’s first female pilot Sarla Thukral, which gives it a historical and inspirational identity.
There is intense competition in the world too
Air taxi is not a concept limited to India only. Work on this is going on rapidly all over the world. Dubai has made preparations to start air taxi services from 2026 and necessary rules have also been made for this. China is considered to be at the forefront of this field, where automated air taxis are being used for both tourism and urban commuting.
China’s autonomous electric air taxi also recently made a successful flight in Africa. Countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore are also exploring the possibility of air taxi services in collaboration with their civil aviation authorities.
Will urban travel change?
If air taxi technology proves to be safe, affordable and practical, it could completely change the face of mobility in Indian cities. The pressure on road traffic will reduce, pollution will reduce and time will be saved. At present, this initiative of Sarala Aviation is a test, but this test can prove to be the biggest flight to get rid of traffic jam in the coming times.
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