Sarla Aviation has signed an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh government to build a new manufacturing facility in Anantapur district to produce eVTOLs, or electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The Bengaluru-based startup recently tested a flying prototype successfully, moving closer to making India’s first flying taxis a reality.
The new plant will span 500 acres with an investment of ₹1,300 crore and is expected to have the capacity to produce 1,000 electric air taxis annually. Once operational, it will be the world’s largest eVTOL manufacturing facility. Andhra Pradesh will become the first state in India to manufacture indigenous electric air taxis, a move that could revolutionize urban mobility.
Sarla Aviation plans to launch India’s first flying taxi service by 2028, targeting major cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi. The aircraft are designed as helicopter-class vehicles with a 15-metre wingspan, and a half-scale prototype with a 7.5-metre wingspan has already been tested in Bengaluru. A full-scale static model was showcased at Bharat Mobility 2025, and USD 13 million in funding has already been secured for the project. The full-scale flying aircraft is expected by 2027.
These eVTOLs are capable of vertical take-off and landing, requiring only small launch pads. Multiple such facilities could be established across Indian cities to support operations. The aircraft are being developed as fully electric, software-driven platforms with minimal moving parts to reduce operational costs and technical issues.
With traffic congestion worsening in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi, these electric air taxis could offer a transformative solution for daily commutes, especially in dense urban areas, easing congestion and cutting travel times significantly.
