Automobile Desk: A relief news has emerged for the people who struggle with crawling traffic and hours-long jams every day on the roads of Delhi-NCR. Work has started on the plan to start electric air taxi service from Noida International Airport (Jewar) soon. After the start of this modern air service, passengers will not only get freedom from the hassle of traffic, but the travel time will also reduce significantly. To get this ambitious project off the ground, a formal agreement (MoU) has been signed between Noida Airport Authority and 'The E-Plane Company' (Ubifly Technologies), a leading deep-tech startup associated with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras.
The main objective of this partnership is to create a fast, secure and modern air connectivity network between major hubs of Delhi-NCR and Noida Airport. In the first phase of service, the e-plane company is preparing to deploy its indigenously developed 'e200X' electric aircraft. This aircraft is based on eVTOL i.e. Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing technology. In simple words, it does not require a long runway for takeoff and landing like conventional airplanes. It can take off and land directly from one place like a normal helicopter. For this reason, it can be easily operated even in densely populated urban areas and places with limited space.
Keeping in mind the smooth operation of air taxis, a dedicated 'Vertiport' will be developed inside the Noida Airport premises. Along with this, high-power charging stations and technical testing facilities will also be constructed to charge the aircraft faster. To keep this entire system safe and smooth, the airport administration is also going to make necessary changes in its standard operating procedures (SOP).
However, before starting this service commercially, it will be mandatory to obtain necessary approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other security agencies. According to Dr. Satyanarayan Chakraborty, founder of e-plane company, first of all rigorous testing of this route and the entire system will be done through drones. Flight testing of pilot-driven e200X aircraft will begin only after all safety standards are met.
This air taxi will not only save precious time of common passengers, but will also work as an air ambulance for serious patients in case of emergency. In Delhi-NCR, ambulances often suffer heavy losses due to getting stuck in traffic, in such a situation this air option can prove to be life saving. Being completely electric, this aircraft emits zero carbon emissions, which will also help in controlling the increasing pollution in the region. Currently, the entire project is undergoing necessary approvals and infrastructure development, once completed, its official launch date will be announced.