Image Credit: Ministry of Civil Aviation
India will launch air taxi services in Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune, with trial runs set to begin in 2026, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu announced at a national aerospace conference.
The initiative aims to ease traffic congestion in major metro cities and enhance regional connectivity.
Speaking at the ‘Challenges in Aerospace for Viksit Bharat — 2047’ conference, organised by the Aeronautical Society of India, Naidu emphasised India’s progress in aviation manufacturing.
“More than 35% of aircraft components, including helicopter equipment, are now made in India,” he said. “The government is working on increasing domestic production and expanding air transport. Steps are being taken towards developing air taxis, with trials planned by 2026.”
Leaders of the Advanced Air Mobility sector in India are excited by this news. Ratandeep Tripathi, CEO of Vajita, told Zag Daily: “The recent announcement by Honorable Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, marks a pivotal moment for India’s urban and regional mobility landscape. With the government’s bold initiative to introduce air taxi services in key corridors such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune, the nation is setting the stage for a transformative era in transportation—one where the skies become an extension of our daily commute.”
The Civil Aviation Ministry of India is also working on regional connectivity, with plans to build 50 new airports over the next five years, increasing the total number to over 200 by 2047.
“Noida and Navi Mumbai airports are in the final stages of construction, and flights will begin soon,” Naidu explained.
India’s drone sector is also expected to see significant growth, with operational drones projected to rise from 30,000 to 300,000 by 2047. The government plans to reduce import duties on drone equipment to promote domestic production.
