India’s First 6-Seater Flying Taxi ‘Shunya’ Unveiled: 160 km Range, Launch Expected by 2028
Indian aerospace startup Sarla Aviation unveiled its prototype air taxi named ‘Shunya’ at the Startup Mahakumbh event on April 3. This innovative air taxi can fly up to 160 kilometers in a single trip but will primarily serve short-distance urban routes of 20–30 km.
The company claims Shunya can reach speeds of up to 250 km/h and can be fully charged for a trip in just 20 minutes. Designed for high-density urban areas, it’s expected to significantly cut travel time. With seating for seven people, including the pilot, the air taxi was first showcased at the India Mobility Global Expo in January 2024.
Affordable as a Premium Taxi Ride
According to Sarla Aviation co-founder Shivam Chauhan, the company plans to launch its flying taxi service in Bangalore by 2028, followed by expansion to cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Noida, and Pune.
The cost of a single trip is expected to be comparable to existing premium ride-hailing services such as Ola and Uber. In addition to passenger services, Sarla Aviation has announced plans for a free air ambulance service to assist with emergency medical needs in urban areas.
A Tribute to India’s First Female Pilot
Sarla Aviation is named in honor of Sarla Thukral, India’s first female pilot. The startup, based in Bangalore, was founded in October 2023 by Adrian Schmitt, Rakesh Gaonkar, and Shivam Chauhan. The Shunya air taxi is designed to carry a maximum payload of 680 kg.
Maruti Suzuki to Launch Flying Car by 2025
Maruti Suzuki showcased its flying car prototype at the India Global Mobility Expo. Developed in collaboration with Suzuki Motor Corporation (SMC) and Japanese startup SkyDrive, the vehicle is intended for urban air mobility services.
The company is exploring local manufacturing in India, which could make the flying car more affordable under the Make in India initiative. The model, featuring 12 motor and rotor units, is expected to debut at the 2025 Osaka Expo in Japan. The initial three-seater version will offer a 15 km range, which could increase to 30 km by 2029 and 40 km by 2031.
Other Indian Companies Entering the Air Taxi Space
1. Mahindra to Launch India’s First Air Taxi by 2026
Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra recently confirmed on social media that India will have its first electric air taxi by next year. Developed by ePlane, an IIT Madras initiative, the vehicle is a two-seater aircraft with a range of 200 km and a cruise speed of 160 km/h.
2. Asia’s First Hybrid Flying Car from Vinata Aeromobility
Chennai-based Vinata Aeromobility is developing a hybrid flying car that can take off from rooftops, requiring no runway. The car can fly for 60 minutes at a top speed of 120 km/h, at an altitude of up to 3,000 feet. It’s a two-seater model weighing 1,100 kg, with a maximum take-off weight of 1,300 kg and a range of 100 km.
Global Efforts: XPeng, Hyundai, and Others
At CES 2024 in Las Vegas, Chinese company XPeng AeroHT and Hyundai’s advanced air mobility unit, Supernal, showcased their flying cars. Other companies such as PAL-V Liberty and Next Future Aska are also working on similar projects.
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XPeng AeroHT unveiled a fully electric piloted aircraft capable of vertical takeoff/landing and low-altitude flying. It supports both manual and autonomous flight modes. Mass production is expected to begin in 2025.
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Hyundai also aims to launch its electric flying taxi by 2028.
No Air Taxi Regulations Yet in India
Currently, India has no specific regulations or policy framework for air taxis. However, as technology develops and commercial operations become feasible, government guidelines are expected in the future.
