Indian air taxi developer Sarla Aviation has teamed up with Bangalore International Airport to create the country’s first eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) equipped airport. This partnership will establish facilities at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, designed to support air taxi services and address the city’s growing congestion issues.
Sarla Aviation is developing an electric aerial vehicle (EAV) capable of carrying a pilot, six passengers, and their luggage. “I am proud to partner with Kempegowda International Airport, marking a significant step in addressing Bengaluru’s congestion challenges,” said Adrian Schmidt, CEO and co-founder of Sarla Aviation. He highlighted the significant reduction in travel time between Indiranagar and the airport, from 1.5 hours to just five minutes with the company’s fully electric flying taxis.
Sarla Aviation plans to launch its EAV services in Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi. The Sarla EAV features seven electric motors, two of which pivot for vertical takeoff and landing, and is powered by four battery packs. The vehicle has a range of 100 miles, though typical trips will be between 12 to 24 miles. It also requires only 15 minutes of charging time between flights.
Sarla’s EAV stands out from most air taxis in development due to its larger capacity, capable of carrying six passengers compared to the usual four. The company plans to mass-produce the EAVs domestically in India, marking a significant advancement in the country’s aerospace industry.
Globally, airports and companies are preparing for air taxi services. For example, UrbanV and Icad Holdings are developing infrastructure to support advanced air mobility in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, while UrbanV is also working with Lilium to introduce electric jet flights in the South of France by 2026. Vertiports, essential for air taxi operations, are being developed in Europe, the Middle East, and the U.S. to facilitate takeoff, landings, passenger operations, and charging.
