IndiGo Parent Partners US-Based Archer Aviation To Launch Electric Air Taxis In India By 2026

IndiGo Airlines’ parent InterGlobe Enterprises will reportedly launch electric air taxi services in India by 2026. 

As per news agency PTI, the airlines’ parent is in the final stages of signing a joint venture (JV) with US-based Archer Aviation to deploy 200 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircrafts that can carry up to four passengers “just like helicopters”.

The deal is expected to cost IndiGo around $1 Bn, as per the report. It is pertinent to note that the two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last year to launch and operate electric air taxi service in the country.

Initially, the service is expected to ferry passengers from Connaught Place (CP) in the national capital to Haryana’s Gurugram in under seven minutes. The aviation major will also launch similar services in Mumbai and Bengaluru.

Archer Aviation’s founder and CEO Adam Goldstein told PTI that the flight between CP and Gurugram could be priced in the range of INR 2,000 to INR 3,000. 

He said that the Archer is in advanced discussions with US regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the certification of its five-seater Midnight eVTOL planes. 

Noting that the certification from US regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was expected next year, Goldstein said that the American company would then commence the process for seeking Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) certification for its aircrafts. 

As per Goldstein, the Midnight aircraft will be able to accommodate the pilot and four passengers. The eVTOL plane will have six battery packs and will reportedly get fully charged in 30-40 minutes.

The US-based company is also reportedly in talks with multiple municipalities to streamline various aspects including infrastructure required for the flight operations. However, deliberations are still reportedly underway with regards to the real estate space needed for the launchpads and other infrastructure before commencing operations.

While the company plans to unveil its manufacturing facility in the US later this year, Goldstein also reportedly affirmed that Archer Aviation was open to manufacturing the planes in India too in the future. 

Last year, Archer Aviation entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with InterGlobe Enterprises, an Indian travel conglomerate and the country’s IndiGo is part of it.

Back home, it will compete with the likes of homegrown names such as The ePlane Company and Bumble Bee Flights. Looking to address problems such as traffic jams and slower movement of goods via roads, these new-age tech companies are building aerial solutions to transport people rather than plying vehicles on the roads. 

As per a report, the global advanced aerial mobility market size is projected to soar to a market size of $45 Bn by 2030.

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