Bengaluru-based aerospace startup, Sarla Aviation is preparing to launch electric air taxi services in three major cities in India. Starting with Bengaluru in 2028, the start up is planning to expand the services to Mumbai and Delhi. CEO and co-founder Adrian Schmidt, announced this at Startup Mahakumbh 2025. This ambitious initiative aligns with India’s broader vision of innovation and sustainable development under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership and the Viksit Bharat 2047 framework.
According to a report by India Today, Sarla Aviation will commence its air taxi operations in Bengaluru by 2028. “The air taxi services are expected to commence in Bengaluru by 2028, and then gradually roll out into other metros,” India Today quoted Schmidt as saying. The company has set a bold target to expand its services to “every corner” of India within five years of the initial launch, a goal that resonates with the government’s push for innovation-driven growth in the aviation sector.
Sarla Aviation’s air taxi, named Shunya, is designed to carry six passengers with a total load capacity of 680 kg. The electric aircraft can achieve speeds of up to 250 km/h and has a maximum range of 160 km, initially focusing on short urban routes of 25–30 km to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce pollution. “Shunya is more than a technological achievement; it embodies our vision to redefine urban mobility in India. By addressing challenges like traffic congestion and pollution, we aim to unlock India’s economic potential while paving the way for a cleaner and more connected future,” Schmidt told The New Indian Express (TNIE) during the unveiling of the Shunya prototype at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo earlier this year.
This pioneering project has been significantly enabled by India’s startup ecosystem, which has flourished under PM Modi’s policies. As highlighted in a 2023 Independence Day address, Modi noted that government initiatives have propelled India to become the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem, with nearly 98,120 entities qualifying for benefits under the Startup India scheme. “Our policies are giving more power to youth strength. Their strength has helped India become the third largest startup ecosystem in the world,” Modi stated, according to Times of India.
“From 20 employees in January, Sarla Aviation has expanded its team to 47 people, and by the end of the year, the company aims to have around 80-120 employees,” India Today reported, citing Schmidt. This growth has been supported by a $10 million Series A funding round led by prominent investors, including Accel, Flipkart’s Binny Bansal, Nikhil Kamath, and Swiggy’s Sriharsha Majety, reflecting the confidence that India’s startup ecosystem inspires.
“We tirelessly refine Shunya’s design to enhance safety and reduce costs, ensuring flying taxis become a viable mode of mass transportation,” TNIE quoted the company as stating on its official website. Sarla also plans to price its services competitively, matching the cost of premium taxi services, and will offer a free air ambulance service to address urgent medical needs in urban areas, aligning with the government’s emphasis on accessible and impactful innovation.
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