Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India]: India is aiming to see electric air taxis take flight in the country by 2028, with testing of the emerging technology expected to gather pace next year, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said on Saturday.
Speaking at the inauguration of Sarla Aviation's new headquarters in Bengaluru, Naidu said electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft could offer a new mobility option for congested metropolitan cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi.
"By 2028, we want to see these machines fly in India. There is a huge requirement, not only in Bangalore, but Mumbai and Delhi," Naidu said.
The minister said he expects Sarla Aviation to move fully into the testing phase next year, while the Ministry of Civil Aviation and aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will continue working with the industry on testing, safety and regulations.
Naidu also said DGCA has granted Design Organisation Approval to Sarla Aviation, marking a regulatory step in the company's development of its eVTOL aircraft.
"I expect that next year we'll completely be in the testing phase," he said, adding, "By 2028, we plan to make this happen."
