Union Minister for Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu. (Photo By Sonu Mehta/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
Union Minister for Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu. (Photo By Sonu Mehta/Hindustan Times via Getty Images) 
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Uber Aerial Taxi: Officials Meet Union Minister Suresh Prabhu To Present Ambitious Plan Which Includes India 

BySwarajya Staff

Senior representatives from Uber Technologies Inc. met Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu on Friday (7 September) to present a formal plan about Uber’s upcoming intra-city aerial taxi service to upgrade urban mobility and reduce congestion on roads.

As per a report in the Mint, the Uber representatives reportedly shared their thoughts on the government’s recently upgraded drone policy. According to the reports, Uber is also keen to deliver food using drone via its service Uber Eats. The new drone policy does not allow drones to be operated for out-of-sight operations.

Under the company’s Elevate Programme, Uber has announced Dallas and Los Angeles in the United States for the first commercial launch of its aerial tax service by the year 2023. Currently, the company is looking for a third partner city, and have shortlisted India, Japan, Australia, Brazil and France outside of the US.

The 90-minute exhaustive journey from Gurugram to Central Delhi will be reduced to just six minutes, after its launch.

Small electric aircraft will be used for take off and landing vertically (VTOL aircraft) to enable smoother and faster transportation within cities.

For being operational, the company will need a certification done from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

Also Read: Flying Cabs Are Coming To India Courtesy Uber Elevate