Pune: India is set to launch an indigenous 'Air Taxi' service to tackle growing traffic congestion in metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune. The trial phase of this innovative urban air mobility solution is expected to begin by 2026, as announced by Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu during a national aerospace conference.
Naidu made this announcement while inaugurating a two-day national conference organized by the Aeronautical Society of India, focused on "Challenges in the Aerospace Sector for India."
The event was attended by key dignitaries, including Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy (former DRDO Director), Dr. S. Somanathan (former ISRO Director), Prof. Prateek Kishore (Director-General, Aeronautical Society of India), and senior officials from DRDO.
Speaking at the event, Naidu emphasized India's rapid progress in aviation technology, highlighting that over 35% of aircraft components, including helicopter equipment, are now manufactured domestically. He reiterated the government’s commitment to self-reliance in aerospace manufacturing and outlined a five-year roadmap to boost production capabilities.
“Western countries like the U.S. and Europe have been pioneers in aviation, but India is now advancing with cutting-edge technology. Our goal is to enhance air connectivity and urban mobility, and the development of ‘Air Taxis’ is a significant step in that direction. We aim to conduct trial runs by 2026,” said Naidu.
Expansion of Regional Airports
The Civil Aviation Ministry is also working on enhancing regional air connectivity, with plans to build 50 new airports over the next five years. By 2047, the total number of airports in India is expected to exceed 200. Naidu further stated that the Noida International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport are nearing completion and will soon begin commercial operations.
Boost for Drone Manufacturing
With India already home to 30,000 modern drones, the government is taking steps to expand domestic drone production, targeting a fleet of 300,000 drones by 2047. To encourage growth in this sector, import duties on drone-related equipment will be reduced, facilitating innovation and startup participation in drone manufacturing.