India aims to launch electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) air-taxi services by 2028 [1].
This initiative seeks to alleviate extreme traffic congestion in major metropolitan areas by shifting urban transit to the air. By connecting airports to city centers, the government intends to reduce travel times to between 20 and 30 minutes [1, 3].
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said, "India is targeting 2028 for the launch of electric air taxis, with eVTOL testing set to accelerate next year" [1]. The primary routes for these services are expected to serve Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi [1, 3].
Sarla Aviation is currently developing a domestically built eVTOL aircraft capable of carrying six passengers [2]. The aircraft features seven electric motors [2]. Technical specifications for the full-scale prototype include a weight of 2.2 tonnes and an operational range of 110 km [3].
Reports on the prototype's size vary slightly. The Economic Times reports an eight-meter wingspan [3], while LiveMint describes the dimensions as eight by 11 meters [4]. A separate half-scale demonstrator weighs 700 kg [5].
Naidu said, "We will see electric air taxis flying by 2028" [2]. The acceleration of testing scheduled for next year is a critical step toward meeting the commercial target date [2].
“"India is targeting 2028 for the launch of electric air taxis,"”
The push for eVTOL technology represents a strategic attempt to bypass India's aging ground infrastructure in its most populous cities. If successful, the transition to electric air taxis would position India as a leader in urban air mobility (UAM) within Asia, though the timeline depends heavily on the results of the upcoming testing phase and the establishment of new aviation safety regulations for low-altitude urban flight.
