IndiGo's Electric Air Taxis: Delhi-Gurugram Link by 2026

IndiGo partners with Archer Aviation to introduce electric air taxis in India by 2026, linking Delhi and Gurugram, aiming to revolutionize urban transportation with efficient and convenient options.

Joint Venture between InterGlobe Enterprises and Archer Aviation:

• InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent company of IndiGo, and US-based Archer Aviation are collaborating to launch an all-electric air taxi service in India by 2026.

• The service aims to connect Connaught Place in Delhi to Gurugram in Haryana, drastically reducing travel time to just 7 minutes.

Aircraft Details:

• Archer Aviation will supply 200 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for the service.

• Each aircraft can accommodate four passengers and a pilot, operating similarly to helicopters but with reduced noise and improved safety.

• These eVTOL aircraft will have 12 rotors and are estimated to cost around USD 1 billion for the fleet.

Expansion Plans:

• Apart from Delhi-Gurugram route, similar services are planned for Mumbai and Bengaluru initially.

• The joint venture aims to revolutionize urban air mobility in India by offering efficient and convenient transportation options.

Flight Cost and Duration:

• The estimated cost of a seven-minute flight from Connaught Place to Gurugram is projected to be between ₹2,000 to ₹3,000.

• In comparison, traveling the same distance by car takes around 90 minutes and costs approximately ₹1,500.

Certification Process and Timeline:

• Archer Aviation is in discussions with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for aircraft certification, expected next year.

• Once certified by the FAA, the company will proceed with certification by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India.

Operational Details:

• Operations are expected to commence in 2026, with a fleet of 200 Midnight planes servicing major cities.

• The aircraft will be powered by six battery packs, fully charging in 30-40 minutes, translating to one minute of flight per minute of charge.

Infrastructure and Partnerships:

• Discussions are ongoing with municipalities for infrastructure like vertiports or launchpads required for flight operations.

• Archer Aviation will leverage InterGlobe's strength and may collaborate with partners for eVTOL operations in India.

Manufacturing Plans:

• Archer Aviation plans to open a manufacturing facility in the US, initially capable of producing up to 650 planes, expandable to 2,000 planes.

• There are considerations for future manufacturing in India, aligning with the country's growing role in the aviation sector.

Previous Collaboration:

• Archer Aviation had previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with InterGlobe Enterprises, indicating the ongoing partnership's evolution and commitment to advancing air mobility solutions in India.