AIR TAXIS TO SOAR OVER INDIAN SKIES SOON

As India prepares for the launch of air taxi services in 2026, with plans to connect high-traffic areas, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has revealed the regulatory framework for 'Vertiports,' paving the way for air taxis to become operational in India

- AIR VICE MARSHAL SANJAY BHATNAGAR (RETD)

LAUNCH OF AIR TAXI SERVICE IN INDIA IS BEING DELIBERATED in various aviation circles for more than three years. We all have been talking about flying cars taking us over congested traffic in a safe manner; it no longer is science fiction. In India, recently the issue has generated lots of interest amongst common citizens after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) last month revealed the regulatory framework for ‘Vertiports’, paving the way for air taxis to become operational in India. Prior to that the DGCA had issued airworthiness criteria for type certification of vertical take-off and landing capable aircraft (VCA).

Vertiports will be used by passengers to board and alight from air taxis, battery charging and parking these eVTOLs. As the acronym suggests, an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft uses electric power to hover, take off and land vertically.

On September 12, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to the nation, “The day is not far when travel by air taxi will be a reality.” He chose to announce this while addressing the second Asia Pacific Civil Aviation Ministers Conference on Civil Aviation, being hosted in collaboration with the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), attended by over 300 representatives from 29 countries.

In India, launch of air taxi services is being planned in 2026. Agencies involved are claiming to be able to do the 30 km trip between Gurugram to Noida in less than seven minutes as compared to 90 minutes by road.

UAM- URBAN AIR MOBILITY