Neelam Mathews

India’s aviation sector is pressing the country’s regulators to step up efforts to create a legal framework of new eVTOL aircraft. The process appears to be lagging despite Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi having urged the industry to “leapfrog straight into aerial mobility.”
According to R.K. Bali, managing director of India’s Business Aircraft Operators Association, rules governing eVTOL air services are expected to be implemented within two years. At the group’s recent <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2026-02-01/indian-bizav-group-seeks-regulatory-rationalization">conference in Hyderabad</a>, Kurt Edwards, director general of the International Business Aviation Council said that private sector work on Indian eVTOL models is already “well ahead of the regulator.”
For example, Bengaluru-based Sarla Aviation, founded by former Lilium engineers and backed by venture capital group Accel and Indian entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath, is developing the Shunya eVTOL. According to the start-up, the hybrid-electric six-seater will have range of up to around 435 nm, or 82 nm in all-electric mode, and with cruise speeds of up 136 knots.
Sarla, which has already established a manufacturing facility, is targeting type certification and the launch of commercial flights in 2029. The company said that the first air taxi services will operate to and from Bengaluru International Airport, with longer-term plans to establish a network of vertiports in Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune.
Last year, Chennai‑based ePlane started flight testing a full-scale example of its e200X eVTOL aircraft, and said it has completed transition flights. The <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-03-07/indias-eplane-set-start-flight-testing-two-seat-evtol">two-seater</a> is intended for short urban trips, with a maximum range of around 33 nm.
Planned commercial air taxi operators include business aviation group <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-01-27/rising-wealth-india-drives-demand-personal-air-mobility">JetSetGo</a>, which last week placed pre-orders with UK manufacturer Vertical Aerospace for 50 of its six-seater Valo aircraft. Through an agreement with InterGlobe Enterprises, U.S.-based Archer Aviation has an agreement for its <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-11-08/archer-plans-bring-evtol-air-taxi-services-india">IndiGo airline subsidiary</a> to deploy up to 200 of its four-passenger Midnight vehicles.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Indian eVTOL Aircraft Pioneers Press For Faster Regulatory Progress

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a "leapfrog to aerial mobility"

While Indian start-ups are trying to bring new eVTOL aircraft to market, the country's regulators seem to be behind in establishing the legal framework needed.

Indian eVTOL Aircraft Pioneers Seek Regulatory Progress

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charles Alcock

Kaleyesus Bekele

News and issues concerning the aviation charter and fractional-ownership industries and markets, including company announcements, regulations, new developments and labor issues.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Industry group presses for regulatory progress and continuity across the continent 

African Bizav Strives for Greater Market Opportunity

Amy Wilder

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Rule would not apply to insulin-treated diabetes

FAA Proposes Easing Medical Approvals for Diabetic Pilots

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

More In Regulations and Government

African Bizav Strives for Greater Market Opportunity

Industry group presses for regulatory progress and continuity across the continent

FAA Proposes Easing Medical Approvals for Diabetic Pilots

Rule would not apply to insulin-treated diabetes

Congress OKs Stopgap Government Funding Measure

Move averts potential shutdown

Longtime Bizav Attorney Gary Garofalo Flies West

His career spanned more than five and a half decades

New Treasury Rule Limits LLC Information Reporting

The revision relaxes some provisions of the Corporate Transparency Act

Nancy Kassebaum, Architect of GA Product Liability Reform, Dies

Kassebaum pushed through the General Aviation Revitalization Act

Nav Canada Increases ATC Service Charges

Increased fees are to recover pandemic shortfall

FAA InFO Outlines CVR Upgrade Deadlines

Larger new bizav aircraft face 2027 deadline, while small new turbine bizav aircraft have 2029 deadline

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN