+
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 Energy

UERC Rejects Pleas Over Cancelled 200 MW Solar Awards

The Uttarakhand Electricity Regulatory Commission (UERC) has rejected review petitions filed by 12 solar developers against the cancellation of Letters of Award (LoAs) issued under the state’s 200 MW Solar Programme.The scheme, launched by the Uttarakhand Renewable Energy Development Agency (UREDA) under the 2013 solar policy, aimed to help Uttarakhand Power Corporation Ltd (UPCL) meet its renewable purchase obligations through tariff-based competitive bidding.The projects—classified under the Type I category—had original commissioning deadlines in 2019–2020, later extended multiple ti..

Next Story
Infrastructure Energy

Solarium Wins Rs 266 Million Rooftop Solar Orders

Solarium Green Energy has secured two significant work orders valued at a combined Rs 266 million for rooftop solar projects across various locations in the Northeastern States, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.The first order, worth approximately Rs 129.8 million, was awarded by NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN) for the development of a 3,319 kW rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) project. This was tendered under the NVVN’s “Selection and Discovery of L1 Rates for Rate Contract for EPC of Grid Connected Rooftop Solar PV Projects (51–200 kW) across India”. The project is scheduled ..

Next Story
Real Estate

Omaxe Secures Rs 5 Billion From Oaktree For Expansion

Omaxe Group has raised Rs 5 billion in funding from Oaktree Capital Management LP, a global investment firm specialising in alternative investments, to fuel the development of ongoing projects and support future growth plans.In a regulatory filing dated 28 July, the company confirmed that the funds will support construction and infrastructure development across key markets, including New Chandigarh, Lucknow, Ludhiana, and Faridabad. The capital will also be directed towards flagship projects such as Omaxe State in Dwarka, an upcoming integrated township in Amritsar, and a new township in Indor..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?