The two parties are in the final stages of signing a joint venture to deploy 200 eVTOL planes across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. According to the corporation, the service is scheduled to shuttle people from Connaught Place in the national capital to Haryana’s Gurugram in less than seven minutes. According to a survey, the worldwide advanced aerial mobility market is anticipated to grow to a market value of $45 billion by 2030.
InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent company of IndiGo Airlines, is apparently planning to offer electric air taxi services in India by 2026.
According to PTI, the airline’s parent is in the final stages of forming a joint venture (JV) with US-based Archer Aviation to deploy 200 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft that can carry up to four passengers “just like helicopters”.
According to the article, the deal is estimated to cost IndiGo around $1 billion. It is worth noting that the two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last year to establish and run an electric air taxi service in the country.
Initially, the service is scheduled to transport passengers from New Delhi’s Connaught Place (CP) to Gurugram, Haryana, in less than seven minutes. The airline would also offer comparable services in Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Archer Aviation’s founder and CEO, Adam Goldstein, told PTI that the flight from CP to Gurugram may cost between INR 2,000 and INR 3,000.
He stated that Archer is in advanced talks with the US regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the certification of its five-seater Midnight eVTOL planes.
Goldstein stated that certification from the US regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), was expected next year and that the American corporation would then begin the process of seeking Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) approval for its aircraft.
According to Goldstein, the pilot and four passengers will be permitted to board the midnight aircraft. The eVTOL plane will feature six battery packs that will supposedly charge completely in 30-40 minutes.
The US-based corporation is also allegedly in talks with several towns to streamline several areas, including the infrastructure needed for flying operations. However, discussions over the real estate space required for launchpads and other infrastructure are said to be ongoing before operations begin.
While the company aims to launch its manufacturing facility in the United States later this year, Goldstein allegedly said that Archer Aviation was open to manufacturing the planes in India in the future.
Indian travel company InterGlobe Enterprises and Archer Aviation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last year. IndiGo is a part of the MoU.
It will face competition from domestic brands like Bumble Bee Flights and The ePlane Company. Looking to address issues such as traffic congestion and slower transportation of commodities via roadways, these new-age tech businesses are developing airborne solutions to carry people rather than automobiles on roads.
According to research, the worldwide advanced aerial mobility industry is expected to reach $45 billion in 2030.
