+
DGCA to outline roadmap for air taxis launch in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru
AVIATION & AIRPORTS

DGCA to outline roadmap for air taxis launch in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru

Following the conclusion of the country's largest electoral activity, the Aviation Ministry has initiated work on urban air mobility. It is speculated that India's regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has established multiple technical committees to develop the roadmap for air taxis in the country. The project is anticipated to begin in major cities such as Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru by 2026, with subsequent expansion to cities like Chennai and Hyderabad.

Upon the formulation of rules for various aspects of e-vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) by the country, InterGlobe Enterprises (IGE), the parent company of IndiGo, will collaborate with US air taxi manufacturer Archer Aviation to establish the necessary infrastructure.

India's aviation authorities are expected to outline the technical requirements that air taxis must meet to operate within the country. Nikhil Goel, the Indian-origin CCO of the Boeing-backed Archer, mentioned that the cost per passenger for this service is likely to be only a "slight premium" over Uber. He also indicated that DGCA has formed several panels to address different aspects of air taxis, including air navigation, operational routes, and safety standards for vertiports. Everything is expected to be in place for air taxis to launch in India by 2026, positioning the country ahead in regulatory preparedness for eVTOL services for urban air mobility, as reported by the Times of India.

A team from Archer recently met with aviation authorities to discuss the program's rollout in India. IGE remains in regular contact with the regulator on this matter. Recently, IGE chief Rahul Bhatia ordered 200 Midnight air taxis from Archer, valued at approximately one billion dollars. Archer aims to begin operations in the US, starting with New York and Chicago, next year, followed by launches in India and the UAE. Bhatia recently visited Archer?s US headquarters and observed the eVTOL.

Bhatia commented at Archer HQ that, given the extreme congestion in Indian cities, urban air mobility would revolutionise transportation in the country, similar to how mobile telephony transformed communications in the mid-1980s.

Regarding the cost of air taxis, Bhatia noted that a Delhi-Gurgaon trip, which costs Rs 1,500-2,000 by Uber, would cost up to 1.5 times that, or Rs 2,000-3,000, per passenger via air taxi. Archer will commence manufacturing Midnight at its Georgia factory this year and is collaborating with auto major Stellantis to produce air taxis in other locations, including India.

Following the conclusion of the country's largest electoral activity, the Aviation Ministry has initiated work on urban air mobility. It is speculated that India's regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has established multiple technical committees to develop the roadmap for air taxis in the country. The project is anticipated to begin in major cities such as Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru by 2026, with subsequent expansion to cities like Chennai and Hyderabad. Upon the formulation of rules for various aspects of e-vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) by the country, InterGlobe Enterprises (IGE), the parent company of IndiGo, will collaborate with US air taxi manufacturer Archer Aviation to establish the necessary infrastructure. India's aviation authorities are expected to outline the technical requirements that air taxis must meet to operate within the country. Nikhil Goel, the Indian-origin CCO of the Boeing-backed Archer, mentioned that the cost per passenger for this service is likely to be only a slight premium over Uber. He also indicated that DGCA has formed several panels to address different aspects of air taxis, including air navigation, operational routes, and safety standards for vertiports. Everything is expected to be in place for air taxis to launch in India by 2026, positioning the country ahead in regulatory preparedness for eVTOL services for urban air mobility, as reported by the Times of India. A team from Archer recently met with aviation authorities to discuss the program's rollout in India. IGE remains in regular contact with the regulator on this matter. Recently, IGE chief Rahul Bhatia ordered 200 Midnight air taxis from Archer, valued at approximately one billion dollars. Archer aims to begin operations in the US, starting with New York and Chicago, next year, followed by launches in India and the UAE. Bhatia recently visited Archer?s US headquarters and observed the eVTOL. Bhatia commented at Archer HQ that, given the extreme congestion in Indian cities, urban air mobility would revolutionise transportation in the country, similar to how mobile telephony transformed communications in the mid-1980s. Regarding the cost of air taxis, Bhatia noted that a Delhi-Gurgaon trip, which costs Rs 1,500-2,000 by Uber, would cost up to 1.5 times that, or Rs 2,000-3,000, per passenger via air taxi. Archer will commence manufacturing Midnight at its Georgia factory this year and is collaborating with auto major Stellantis to produce air taxis in other locations, including India.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Companies in GIFT City IFSC Cross 400 Mark

As of July 31, 2025, a total of 409 companies are operating in the Gujarat International Finance Tec City – International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC), Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman informed Parliament.In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, she highlighted that the number of firms in GIFT IFSC has grown nearly fivefold in less than five years — from 82 on October 1, 2020, to 409 by July 2025.The centre now hosts a wide range of entities, including those in banking, asset management, and allied services, alongside other financial segments.To support GIFT IFSC’s growth, the go..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

GMDA to Prepare Fresh DPR for Naurangpur Sewage Treatment Plant

The Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) will prepare a fresh detailed project report (DPR) for the proposed 40 million litres per day (MLD) sewage treatment plant (STP) at Naurangpur. The move comes after it was found that a high-tension power line and a 24-metre-wide road pass through the site allocated for the project, requiring a revised plan.According to officials, the original 3.65-acre land parcel transferred from the Municipal Corporation of Manesar (MCM) was reduced to 2.89 acres following the road development. The presence of the power line further divided the land into..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

PM Inaugurates Bihar Highway and New Ganga Bridge

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate a key highway project on Friday, connecting Aunta (Mokama) and Simaria (Begusarai), featuring a newly built 1.865-km bridge across the Ganga.The project establishes direct road connectivity between Mokama in Patna district and Begusarai. The bridge has been constructed parallel to the old two-lane rail-cum-road Rajendra Setu, which is currently under repair and restricts heavy vehicle movement.The new bridge will allow heavy vehicles to avoid a detour of nearly 100 km while travelling between north Bihar districts such as Begusarai, Supaul, Madhuban..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?