InterGlobe Enterprises, the holding company of India's leading airline, IndiGo, and the US-based Archer Aviation, are set to introduce an electric air taxi service in India by 2026. This service will transport passengers from Connaught Place in New Delhi to Gurugram in Haryana in a mere 7 minutes. Archer Aviation will provide 200 electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft capable of accommodating four passengers and a pilot. These aircraft will operate akin to helicopters but with reduced noise levels and enhanced safety features.
In addition to Delhi, the collaboration between InterGlobe and Archer Aviation plans to initiate similar services in Mumbai and Bengaluru initially. The estimated cost for the seven-minute flight using the company's five-seater eVTOL aircraft from Connaught Place to Gurugram in Haryana could range from Rs 2,000 to 3,000, as indicated by executives at Archer Aviation.
Archer Aviation Founder and CEO Founder & CEO Adam Goldstein said discussions are going on with the US regulator Federal Aviation Administration and the certification process for its aircraft is at an advanced stage. The certification is expected next year and once that is in place, the process will be initiated for the certification by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Goldstein said the company expects to start flights in India in 2026 and aims to have 200 of its Midnight planes for operations. Initially, Archer Aviation will be focusing on Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. With its flight, the duration will be around 7 minutes from Connaught Place in Delhi to Gurugram and the cost could be Rs 2,000 to 3,000. In a car, for the 27-kilometre distance, it would take around 90 minutes and the cost would be about Rs 1,500, according to Goldstein.
The Midnight aircraft, with seating for the pilot and four passengers, will feature six battery packs. Its Chief Commercial Officer, Nikhil Goel, stated that the aircraft will achieve a full charge within 30-40 minutes. Moreover, a one-minute charge roughly equates to one minute of flight time.
Archer Aviation is set to establish a joint venture with InterGlobe Enterprises, and the details are currently being finalized. Additionally, the US company is engaged in talks with several municipalities regarding the infrastructure and other requirements for flight operations. Goel emphasized that they will leverage the full capabilities of InterGlobe, a conglomerate, and the joint venture may consider partnering with other entities for the eVTOL operations in India.
Conversations are underway regarding the real estate needed for vertiports or launchpads, as well as other infrastructure necessary to commence flight operations. Archer Aviation is set to inaugurate its manufacturing facility in the US this year. Initially, the facility will have the capability to produce up to 650 planes, with plans to increase this capacity to 2,000 planes.