Travelling to Bengaluru airport, notorious for being a lengthy and chaotic journey due to the city’s traffic, is set to become drastically easier. In a pioneering collaboration, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and Sarla Aviation, an aerospace component manufacturer, have signed an agreement to explore advanced air mobility (AAM) solutions. This partnership aims to introduce electric-powered, seven-seater aircraft—eVTOLs (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing)—which will drastically cut down the travel time from the city to the airport to just five minutes.

What are eVTOLs or air taxi services?

eVTOLs, which use electric power to hover, take off, and land vertically like helicopters, are seen as a major step forward in urban mobility. These aircraft are part of a broader push towards sustainable air transportation, offering urban air taxi services, cargo deliveries, and emergency medical transport. By reducing congestion and providing faster alternatives to road travel, eVTOLs have the potential to revolutionise city commuting.

Sarla Aviation announced its partnership with BIAL on Monday, making Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) the first eVTOL-friendly airport in India. The aircraft can cover distances of up to 160 kilometres but are optimized for inner-city trips of 20 to 40 kilometres. According to the company’s website, the time taken to travel from Bengaluru’s Electronic City to the airport will drop to under 20 minutes, compared to the 152 minutes it currently takes by road.

How will eVTOLs work?

The eVTOL is equipped with four double-isolated battery packs that power seven electric motors, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 250 km/h. It can accommodate six passengers plus a pilot and luggage. With a 15-minute charging time between trips, this innovative aircraft is designed for efficient urban transportation.

Adrian Schmidt, CEO of Sarla Aviation, expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting the potential to reduce a 1.5-hour journey from Indiranagar to the airport to just five minutes. Schmidt praised Bengaluru Airport’s forward-thinking leadership, which promotes sustainable innovations in aviation.

Sarla Aviation has also engaged with India’s Civil Aviation Ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to discuss policies supporting urban air mobility and ensuring that India remains at the forefront of this transportation revolution.