New Delhi. Imagine traveling from Noida to Gurugram, and instead of spending hours stuck in traffic, you could fly through the air and reach your destination in just 15 minutes. Air taxis, once only seen in films and reels, are now rapidly becoming a reality in India. And the government has taken a major step in this direction.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has granted Sarla Aviation the country’s third eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing Design Organization) approval. Simply put, these aircraft don’t require a long runway to take off, unlike conventional airplanes. Like helicopters, these aircraft can take off vertically and land in the same manner.
When can air taxis be launched in India?
According to the government’s plan, eVTOL operations are expected to begin in India within the next two years. This could pave the way for air taxi services in the country by 2028, and if this plan materializes, it could significantly transform the landscape of urban transportation. A journey from Noida to Gurugram, which can take considerable time due to road traffic, is claimed to be completed in approximately 15 minutes via air taxi.
Another special feature of air taxis is their technology.
These will be based on electric or hybrid-electric technology. This is expected to reduce noise and operating costs compared to conventional helicopters. However, their use will not be limited to intra-city travel. eVTOL technology is also being developed for inter-city travel, and work is underway to achieve a range of up to 300 kilometers. The government’s efforts are not limited to air taxis. India is also preparing to design and develop this technology domestically and expand it to other countries in the future.