Bengaluru's Air Taxi Service Takes Off, Paving Way For Five-Minute Commutes To Airport From City

Travel to Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), often plagued by long traffic jams and delays, is about to get much easier.

In a landmark partnership, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and Sarla Aviation have teamed up to explore Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions. The collaboration will bring electric-powered, seven-seater eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft to Bengaluru, reducing the travel time from the city to the airport to just five minutes.

The eVTOL aircraft are designed to enhance urban transportation by offering quick, eco-friendly alternatives to road travel. These electric aircraft can reach speeds of up to 250 km/h, carrying six passengers plus a pilot, and take only 15 minutes to charge between trips.

Sarla Aviation's CEO, Adrian Schmidt, stated that this breakthrough could reduce the travel time from areas like Indiranagar to the airport from 1.5 hours to just five minutes. These aircraft, set to make BLR India’s first eVTOL-friendly airport, have a range of up to 160 kilometers, but are optimized for inner-city trips of 20 to 40 kilometers, reports The Hindu.

The eVTOLs, capable of flying short distances, offer a solution to the city's notorious traffic congestion. The aircraft, which use electric power to hover, take off, and land vertically like helicopters, are part of a larger vision to promote sustainable urban mobility.

The aircraft design emphasises redundancy, reducing the risk of failure with multiple backup systems. The simplicity of the aircraft's electric propulsion translates to fewer mechanical parts, minimising maintenance and increasing reliability.

Sarla Aviation also envisions the use of eVTOLs for urban air taxis, cargo deliveries, and emergency medical services. It is working with India's Civil Aviation Ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to develop regulations that support the growth of urban air mobility.