Sarla Aviation Shunya Air Taxi:
Earlier this year, the aerospace startup Sarla Aviation unveiled its Air Taxi to the world at the India Mobility Global Expo in Delhi. They are now on the verge of launching commercial services in a few major Indian cities. Initially, Bengaluru will be the first city to witness the launch.
According to Adrian Schmit, CEO and Co-founder of Sarla Aviation, the service will first launch in Bengaluru, followed by Mumbai and Delhi a few months later. In a media statement during the Startup Mahakumbh, Adrian mentioned, "Our aim is to extend air taxi services throughout the country within five years of the Bengaluru launch."
Source: aajtak
When Will Air Taxi Services Begin?
Sarla Aviation is targeting the commencement of its services by 2028. To accelerate this vision, they are rapidly expanding their team—from 20 employees in January to 47 now. Schmit stated that their goal is to reach a workforce of 80-120 by the year's end. Last year, they planned to initiate flying taxi services in collaboration with Bengaluru International Airport.
The company secured $10 million in Series A funding led by Accel, with participation from angel investors like Flipkart's Binny Bansal, Nikhil Kamath, and Swiggy's Sriharsha Majety. Schmit emphasized that their primary goal is to be a manufacturing firm rather than a service provider, offering electric air taxis to other companies.
With the $10 million funding led by Accel, Sarla Aviation plans to introduce 30 flying air taxis in Bengaluru by 2028, expanding operations to Mumbai and Delhi. Designed for short urban commutes, these taxis aim to enhance air mobility while reducing travel time across India.
What Makes Shunya Air Taxi Special:
Currently, the company has presented the Shunya prototype, which may undergo various alterations before becoming production-ready. The air taxi can fly at speeds up to 250 km/h and has been designed with modern battery technology for journeys up to 160 km, although its primary use will be for 25-30 km trips. Fascinatingly, it accommodates six passengers and one pilot, supporting a total weight of up to 680 kilograms.
Source: aajtak
Remarkable Cabin:
Outfitted with advanced features and technology, this air taxi's cabin can be customized as a 6-seater, 4-seater, or even configured for cargo. It functions both as a passenger and a goods carrier. Being an eVTOL (Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) vehicle, it doesn't require a long runway; it can take off vertically from its spot.
While the exact fare for this air taxi remains undisclosed, the company aims to make it affordable, so it could be a viable option for daily commutes.
The Numbers Behind Air Taxi:
Government's Preparations:
The central government is gearing up to develop the necessary infrastructure to introduce air taxis by 2026. Last September, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation issued guidelines to obtain airworthiness certificates for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Furthermore, domestic airline IndiGo has ordered 200 air taxis from California-based aerospace firm Archer, which plans to launch its electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle "Midnight" in 2026. Photo Courtesy: Sarla Aviation
