The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has proposed the introduction of air taxis in major metropolitan regions, suggesting that rooftop take-off and landing pads could dramatically cut travel time and ease pressure on congested road networks. In a new report, CII said a pilot air taxi corridor linking Gurugram, Connaught Place, and the upcoming Jewar International Airport in Noida could reduce journeys that currently take hours to just a few minutes.
The report envisions the use of Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, a key component of what is known as Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). These air taxis would initially operate from rooftops of hospitals and commercial buildings, leveraging existing infrastructure rather than requiring large tracts of new land. Early use cases are expected to focus on time-sensitive missions such as organ transportation and critical medical logistics.
According to CII, strategic co-location of rooftop “vertiports” with hospitals, metro stations, and major business districts would allow seamless integration with existing transport systems. This approach, the report argues, would help overcome India’s urban infrastructure bottlenecks while offering a high-impact solution to chronic traffic congestion in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
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The AAM report was released by Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu and outlines a phased roadmap for safely integrating next-generation air mobility into India’s aviation ecosystem. It also suggests the creation of a specialised regulatory body, potentially within the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), to oversee standards, safety assessments, and airspace integration for air taxis.
While rooftop vertiports are seen as cost-effective and scalable, the report notes that current DGCA regulations do not yet permit routine commercial vertical take-offs and landings from rooftops. Any future approval would depend on updated regulatory frameworks and rigorous safety evaluations. The proposed rollout would begin with drone deliveries, followed by medical logistics, organ transport, and eventually air ambulance services.
On the financing front, CII has urged public financial institutions such as SIDBI, banks, and government grant agencies to create dedicated funding mechanisms for Advanced Air Mobility. Suggested options include sector-specific infrastructure funds, venture leasing models, and credit enhancement facilities to lower investment risks and attract long-term capital into the emerging sector.
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