Bringing air taxis to India key goal towards Viksit Bharat: Sarla Aviation CEO

IANS April 5, 2025 238 views

Sarla Aviation is pioneering air taxi technology in India with its innovative 'Shunya' prototype. The startup aims to revolutionize urban transportation by introducing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. By addressing traffic congestion and offering a more efficient transport solution, the company is aligning with the Viksit Bharat initiative. With significant Indian investor backing and plans for market launch by 2028, Sarla Aviation is poised to transform how Indians commute.

"India needs a better transport system. This is where the idea of air taxis come into the picture." - Adrian, Sarla Aviation CEO
New Delhi, April 5: Aerospace startup Sarla Aviation. which recently unveiled the country’s first flying taxi prototype called ‘Shunya’ earlier this year, is aiming to soon start commercial operations.

Key Points

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Sarla Aviation develops first Indian flying taxi prototype

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eVTOL aircraft targets urban mobility transformation

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Raised $12 million from Indian investors

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Market launch planned for 2028

Speaking to IANS, Adrian, co-founder and CEO of Sarla Aviation, said that bringing air taxis to India is one of their important goals under the 'Viksit Bharat' initiative.

“India needs a better transport system. This is where the idea of air taxis come into the picture. It can be expected to become an important part of public transport in the future,” said Adrian.

Adrian further stated that it is necessary to bring air taxis to India so that problems like traffic jams can be eliminated.

Air taxis can be used to commute to places like schools, malls, hospitals and airports. He described air taxis as smarter, more economical and convenient mode pf transport than traditional vehicles.

Sarla Aviation has so far raised $12 million in funding from various venture capital firms and angel investors. The company plans to raise additional investments in the future to expand footprint.

Indian investors have played a vital role in the success of Sarla Aviation and Adrian is extremely happy about this.

He said, "Most of our investors are Indians, and we are proud to be backed by some of the brightest minds who have built some of the best companies in this country."

Sarla Aviation is developing India's most sophisticated electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The development highlights India’s growing aspiration in sustainable urban air mobility and underscores the importance of synergies in driving innovation.

Focused on developing eVTOL aircraft, Sarla Aviation aims to transform urban mobility with faster, cleaner, and more efficient transportation solutions. The company plans to initiate test flights and develop additional prototypes, with a market launch targeted for 2028.

Reader Comments

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Rahul K.
This is so exciting! 🚀 India finally catching up with futuristic transportation. Can't wait to see these flying taxis in action. Hope they make it affordable for the common man though.
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Priya M.
While the concept is innovative, I'm concerned about safety regulations and infrastructure. Our cities aren't designed for air traffic yet. Hope they address these challenges properly.
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Arjun S.
Finally! Bangalore traffic will be history 😂 But seriously, this could revolutionize urban mobility if executed well. Kudos to the team for pushing boundaries.
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Neha P.
The environmental impact worries me. Electric is good, but what about the energy required for mass production and operation? Hope they have sustainable solutions for that too.
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Vikram D.
Great to see Indian startups innovating in aerospace! 🇮🇳 The 2028 timeline seems ambitious but achievable. Wishing Sarla Aviation all the best - make us proud!
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Sanjay T.
Interesting concept, but I wonder about the noise pollution aspect. Our cities are already so loud. Will these be quieter than helicopters? The article doesn't mention this.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
Air Taxis Sarla Aviation eVTOL Urban Mobility Adrian Viksit Bharat Electric Aircraft Transportation Innovation
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