Promising 19-minute trips to the airport, Sarla Aviation is planning electric flying taxis in Bengaluru to combat traffic congestion and pollution at affordable fares.
Bengaluru-based Sarla Aviation plans to launch electric flying taxis to relief commuters from the city’s notorious traffic congestion. They have partnered with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) to introduce electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to improve urban mobility.
These seven-seater electric flying taxis are expected to cut travel times and reduce vehicular pollution, especially during the rainy season when traffic delays are common. They could drastically shorten the journey between Bengaluru Airport and Electronics City—a 52-kilometre route that could be completed in just 19 minutes, compared to nearly three hours during peak hours. The estimated fare for this service is around Rs 1,700.
The company plans to target four of India’s most congested cities: Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune, making electric aerial taxis affordable and accessible to the public.
However, the initiative is still awaiting regulatory approval, and the service may take up to three years to become fully operational. Sarla Aviation has assured that flying taxi costs will be lower than traditional helicopter services previously offered in the city.
Adrian Schmidt, Co-founder and CEO of Sarla Aviation, stated that their goal is to change urban air transport scenario through operational efficiency, lower carbon emissions, and scalable infrastructure, aiming to meet global standards for sustainable aviation.
Bengaluru often ranks among cities with the slowest traffic speeds. According to the Economic Times, the introduction of flying taxis could provide commuters with a quicker, more sustainable alternative to navigating the crowded streets.
