In a significant move towards futuristic urban mobility, the Goa government's Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C) has entered into a strategic partnership with a Bengaluru-based startup to pioneer electric air taxi services in the coastal state.
MoU Signed for Flying Taxi Development in Colvale
The department formalized this collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sarla Aviation Private Limited. The startup, named in honour of India's first female pilot, Sarla Thakral, will establish its research and development operations at Colvale in Goa. The agreement, finalized last week, paves the way for the design, development, and testing of manned electric air taxis, flight controllers, and advanced avionics equipment within the state.
Neville Noronha, the IT department's officer on special duty, confirmed the partnership. He stated that the state government will assist the startup in identifying suitable land for its operations. A key aspect of the project is its focus on local employment and skill development. "The idea is that 30% of their staff will be pulled in from Bengaluru, and the rest will be Goans who will be upskilled. Their R&D will be based out of Goa," Noronha explained.
Sarla Aviation's Vision and Goa's Strategic Advantage
Sarla Aviation, which counts prominent investors like Accel, Nikhil Kamath, Binny Bansal, and Sriharsha Majety among its backers, is developing a six-seater electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The primary goal is to alleviate road congestion by introducing a new layer of aerial transportation.
Adrian Schmidt, the German co-founder and CEO of Sarla Aviation, detailed the reasons for choosing Goa. He highlighted the state's unique geographical and strategic advantages. The air taxis are being designed with a dual civil-military application, and proximity to naval aviation facilities in Goa is a major benefit. Furthermore, Goa provides the perfect environment to test the aircraft's endurance over water, where varying wind patterns and humidity levels present real-world challenges.
"We intend to grow over the course of the next couple of months because we believe that Goa is a lot more attractive for hiring international talent," Schmidt added. The company, which currently employs 70 people, plans to rotate about one-third of its workforce to Goa. The state government has committed to providing sea-facing land for the crucial testing phase of the air taxis.
Roadmap to Operational Air Taxis by 2029
Sarla Aviation has an ambitious timeline for bringing its vision to reality. By 2029, the company aims to have a fully operational air taxi system. The initial commercial routes are planned for Bengaluru, connecting airports within the city. In Goa, the envisioned network would link major airports to popular resorts and establish connections from vertiports (vertical take-off ports) to hospitals, offering swift and efficient travel.
The startup's eVTOL model is a hybrid-lift-and-cruise design, which it claims offers the highest payload capacity in the market—capable of carrying up to 680 kilograms. Beyond Goa, Sarla Aviation is making a substantial investment of Rs 1,300 crore to establish a massive 500-acre eVTOL manufacturing campus in Andhra Pradesh, signaling a long-term commitment to advancing aerial mobility in India.
This partnership marks a bold step for Goa, positioning it as a testing ground for cutting-edge transportation technology that could redefine intra-city travel and serve as a model for other Indian states grappling with traffic congestion.
