Flying commutes: Air taxis set for takeoff

Imagine a future where busy commuters soar above congested roads in sleek, electric-powered air taxis, reaching their destinations in minutes rather than hours.

- VINAYAK CHATTERJEE

From Gurugram to Connaught Place, and from Mumbai Airport to Nariman Point, a new dimension of urban transport is set to unfold as electric-Vertical Take-off-and-Landing (eVTOLs) aircraft, also known as air taxis, prepare to transform city travel.

According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), VTOLs are defined as aircraft powered by unconventional energy sources, with a maximum takeoff weight of less than 5,700 kg, operated by a pilot, and restricted to daytime operations under visual flight rules.

Such eVTOLs look like large drones and evoke images of floating bubbles. Unlike conventional aircraft that require runways, they can take off and land vertically, making them well-suited for dense urban environments where space is limited.

These aircraft use electric propulsion, making them quieter and more environment-friendly than traditional helicopters.

Advanced air traffic management systems aim to ensure safe and efficient operations. In time, pilotless capabilities are expected to take over.

Internationally, the air-taxi business is evolving rapidly. Dubai is set to begin full-scale commercial operations with four vertiports by 2026. Other cities actively gearing up for commercial operations include Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Paris and Singapore. Some could start as early as the last quarter of 2025.