IndiGo, is making a calculated bet on the future of urban mobility, acquiring an equity stake in Bengaluru-based Sarla Aviation as it doubles down on electric air taxi technology.
The investment worth around ₹10 crore has been made through IndiGo’s investment arm and marks the airline’s formal entry into India’s emerging electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) ecosystem.
This move signals IndiGo’s continued interest in air taxis, even after its earlier non-binding partnership with US-based Archer Aviation fell through due to timeline challenges.
Rather than stepping back, the airline appears to be doubling down with a domestic-first approach, backing a homegrown startup building solutions tailored for Indian cities.
Sarla Aviation, founded in 2023, is developing “Shunya,” an electric flying taxi designed specifically for urban environments. The aircraft is expected to carry up to six passengers and operate on short-distance routes, using existing helipads across cities. The company is targeting a commercial launch in Bengaluru by 2028, positioning itself at the forefront of India’s urban air mobility ambitions.
Globally, eVTOL aircraft are being seen as the next frontier in transportation offering faster, cleaner, and congestion-free alternatives to traditional road travel. For IndiGo, this investment is not just experimental, it is strategic.
Sarla Aviation has already raised over $13 million across funding rounds, backed by investors such as Accel and prominent startup founders including Nikhil Kamath and Binny Bansal.
Beyond aircraft development, the startup is also working on building the broader ecosystem leveraging existing infrastructure like hotel, hospital, and tech park helipads for early deployment.
