Launch of air taxi service in India is being deliberated in various aviation circles for more than three years. We all have been talking about flying cars taking us over congested traffic in a safe manner, it no longer is science fiction. In India, recently the issue has generated lots of interest amongst common citizens after the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) last month revealed the regulatory framework for ‘Vertiports’, paving the way for air taxis to become operational in India. Prior to that the DGCA had issued airworthiness criteria for type certification of vertical take-off and landing capable aircraft (VCA).

Vertiports will be used by passengers to board and alight from air taxis, battery charging and parking these eVTOLs. As the acronym suggests, an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft uses electric power to hover, take off and land vertically.

On September 12, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced to the nation, “The day is not far when travel by air taxi will be a reality.” He chose to announce this while addressing the second Asia Pacific Civil Aviation Ministers Conference on Civil Aviation, being hosted in collaboration with the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), attended by over 300 representatives from 29 countries.

In India, launch of air taxi services is being planned in 2026. Agencies involved are claiming to be able to do the 30 km trip between Gurugram to Noida in less than seven minutes as compared to 90 minutes by road.

UAM- URBAN AIR MOBILITY

The issue of air taxi falls under the ambit of Urban Air Mobility (UAM). It refers to a system of air transportation that utilises electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to transport passengers and cargo within urban and suburban areas. The main goal of UAM is to provide a fast, efficient and sustainable alternative to ground-based transportation, thereby reducing traffic congestion and travel times.

UAM is the use of small, highly automated aircraft to carry passengers or cargo at lower altitudes in urban and suburban areas, which have been developed in response to traffic congestion. It usually refers to existing and emerging technologies such as traditional helicopters, vertical-takeoff and landing aircraft (VTOL), electrically propelled vertical-takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that air taxi travel in India is not far off, highlighting the government’s commitment to this innovation at the second Asia Pacific Civil Aviation Ministers Conference

UAM refers to the concept of ondemand flights and automated air transportation services, typically provided by highly automated aircraft that operate within urban and suburban environments.

The main goal of UAM is to provide a fast, efficient, and sustainable alternative to ground-based transportation, reduce travel time by avoiding traffic on the roads. Passenger acceptance of the concept and value of time convenience are the driving factors for UAM. The stakeholders need to critically examine the safety aspects, social agreements, aircraft safety aspects, piloted or automatic flights without pilots and host of other issues before commencing the UAM services.

UAM ADOPTION CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

UAM involve a complicated ecosystem, wherein its various subsets are required to synergise to produce best effect. Its components include:

• eVTOL aircraft are electric-powered aircraft that can take off and land vertically, eliminating the need for longer operating surfaces. They are designed to be quiet, efficient, safe and environmentally friendly.
• Vertiports are dedicated takeoff and landing facilities for eVTOL aircraft, often located on rooftops or other urban spaces of critically specified dimensions and clearances. Also needed are battery charging stations at the Vertiports itself.
• Air traffic management systems. UAM requires advanced air traffic management systems to ensure safe and efficient operations in dense urban environments. These systems must integrate with existing air traffic control and account for factors such as weather, obstacles and collision avoidance from UAVs other aircraft. Traffic route management needs to be adaptable to flexible routing and schedules, hence there is an inescapable requirement for intelligent routing algorithms, catering for weather, turbulence hot spots and numerous other factors. A key trend shaping the UAM market growth is the integration of advanced autonomous systems and AI in UAM vehicles. The incorporation of AI and machine learning in UAM aircraft enhances their ability to navigate complex urban environments, make real-time decisions, and optimise flight paths.
• Public acceptance through trust building is highly crucial for it to be appealing to the passengers. While flying over populated areas, UAM has to deal with issues of rotor sound menace, privacy while flying over property in urban areas and of course issue of costing and ticketing.
• UAM can provide a range of services, including passenger transportation (air taxis), emergency medical transport, and delivery of goods and supplies.
• UAM must seamlessly integrate with legacy existing air traffic and other modes of transportation, such as public transit and ride-sharing services, to provide a comprehensive and efficient mobility solution.

UAM has the potential to revolutionise urban transportation and improve quality of life in cities around the world. Implementing UAM systems offers numerous benefits for cities and its residents. By providing a fast and efficient alternative to ground-based transportation, UAM can significantly reduce travel times and accessibility alleviate traffic congestion. This not only saves time for individuals but also has the potential to boost economic productivity by reducing the hours lost due to gridlock. Moreover, UAM can improve to underserved areas.

UAM OPERATIONS ABROAD

Several nations are embracing this new technology. The process of design and development is rather complicated and involves rigorous innovation cycles. Companies abroad have flown thousands of miles before applying for certification for prototype, prior to considering operations in cities. Regulatory framework, too, is evolving globally across all regulatory bodies to pave the way for air taxi operations in various cities.

InterGlobe Enterprises and Archer Aviation have entered into a close to $1 billion deal to bring 200 all-electric air taxis to India by 2026

The Middle East has emerged as the leading location globally for the initial growth of the UAM industry. Dubai passed regulations in 2020 to facilitate flying taxis and drone deliveries. A US based and a Chinese company have signed separate MoUs for developing the capabilities and commencing operations in Dubai. Saudi Arabia is in advanced stage of exploring similar capabilities with a US based company. In Australia, companies are applying for CASA certification on the lines of FAA. Similar is the case in Japan, where certification from Japan Civil Aviation Bureau is awaited.

In the US, Department of Defense, under a US Air Force project has been exploring the eVTOL revolution, especially for carriage of equipment. EHang, a Chinese private company is already flying a two-seater flying vehicle without pilots. Companies are exploring quadcopter designs as well as use of coaxial rotors. Also, new battery designs and technology are being explored.

FAA’s regulations are yet to come up with guidelines for pilotless flights as it seems to be following a gradual cautionary approach of first proving the concept of piloted flight and once accepted by the environment, a pilotless version could be considered at a later date.

UAM COMING TO INDIA

Now, India is preparing its own infrastructure with DGCA setting up formal guidelines for operations, infrastructure, parking, battery charging, landing, and emergency protocols at Vertiports. The aim is to develop UAM infrastructure around existing helicopter routes, helipads, and Air Traffic Control (ATC) services, eventually expanding into specially designated Vertiports.

DGCA while developing the guidance advisory for UAM has taken global practices into consideration through extensive consultations with broad section of stakeholders. This Advisory Circular is issued under the provisions of CAR-21 issued under Rule 133A of The Aircraft Rules. This airworthiness certification requirements applies to eVTOL capable aircraft with pilot onboard with a maximum take-off weight up to 5,700 kg. The circular include, basic infrastructure requirement specifications; physical attributes for vertiports; guidelines to ensure air taxis’ safe and unobstructed take off and landing; battery charging requirements and emergency response planning.

InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent company of IndiGo and Archer Aviation of the US have entered into an agreement to operate an all-electric air taxi service in India by 2026. The understanding has been developed to purchase 200 aircraft called, ‘Midnight’ under a close to $1 billion deal. These are piloted four-seater eVTOL aircraft with a range of 100 miles and battery pack recharging time of approximately 30-40 minutes.

Presently, the aircraft ‘Midnight’ is in the final stages of securing approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US, thereafter it will undertake trials in India to be able to launch the service commercially in 2026.

In India, Air taxis are planned to be launched in high-traffic regions like Delhi NCR and Mumbai, at limited destinations, essentially extending significant relief from road congestion. These flights will be piloted by a single pilot. Presently, by 2026, Air Taxis between Gurugram, Noida, Greater Noida and Faridabad are being considered. Other metros like Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chennai could be next for UAM solutions.

UAM FUTURE

According to forecast compiled by Global UAM Research team, over next five years, currently 1,044 vertiports are being planned for development. According to Forbes 2023 report, global UAM market is likely to grow at a CAGR of 12.1 per cent between 2030-35 and reach a value of USD 41.5 by 2035.

A US based Electric air taxi company, in collaboration with a German subsidiary, has recently flown an eVTOL hydrogenelectric air taxi on a 500 miles plus trip, thereby opening exciting possibilities of bringing air taxi services around cities.

Back home, we have a homegrown ‘The ePlane Company’, a startup incubated at IIT Chennai that is developing a certifiable prototype of a flying taxi by March 2025.

UAM represents a paradigm shift in urban transportation, offering immense promise alongside certain challenges. By navigating these challenges collaboratively, embracing innovation and prioritising safety and sustainability, through adaptive regulatory approach and informed policy decisions, the aviation industry can unlock the full potential of UAM and revolutionise the way we move within our cities.