Jaideep Mirchandani, Group Chairman of Sky One, says the arrival of air taxis may create more demand for experienced engineers and technicians
In 2009, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) introduced Puffin, a concept for a single-person, electrically powered vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. NASA engineers, innovators from MIT, Georgia Tech, and a few other research institutions designed Puffin to explore the potential of electric propulsion.
Since then, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) systems have gained momentum due to the growing need for next-generation transport powered by electric and/or hybrid-electric propulsion. Today, the possibility of remotely piloted, autonomous, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft in congested cities seems less far-fetched than before. eVTOL aircraft, flying taxis and streamlined aerial logistics can transport cargo and connect suburbs, villages and communities. From intra-city to inter-city air transport, this technology can change how we commute, move goods and interact. It will also generate unprecedented economic opportunities.
A May 2021 market valuation by Morgan Stanley projects AAM to be worth 1 trillion (1,000,000,000,000) USD by 2040 and up to $9 trillion a decade later. In the context of India, the aerospace sector will primarily drive this evolution towards redefined urban mobility at a time when traffic congestion is rampant in major cities and gridlocks cause economic losses, waste of resources, fuel, time, and human productivity. Not to mention the perils of air pollution in cities with heavy vehicular traffic.
The prospect of utilising underused urban airspace to facilitate faster commutes, point-to-point travel and moving a significant percentage of urban transportation into the sky is exciting. The vertical redistribution of traffic can reduce travel time and ease the burden on existing infrastructure. As we dream of such interventions to address the limitations of -ground-based solutions like recurring road expansions and laboriously constructed flyovers, we must also ensure the sustainability of future-forward technologies. There will also be many regulatory challenges in this path. We will also need supportive physical and digital infrastructure for vertiports to transcend to the next level of urban air mobility (UAM).
According to a 2024 report by the World Economic Forum titled ‘Skyways to the Future: Operational Concepts for Advanced Air Mobility in India,’ developing a robust ecosystem for AAM requires the establishment of urban and rural vertiports, integration of AAM into the country’s multimodal transport system, and addressing key challenges such as noise mitigation, energy demands, and community acceptance. The study, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Civil Aviation, also recommends a new framework for airspace design and management to accommodate the dynamic nature of emerging operations and vehicles.
In line with this report, the government has taken several key steps. As per news reports, it has identified five potential locations in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh for eVTOL aircraft trials over the next 18 months. These sites will serve as AAM sandbox zones, where controlled trials will be conducted. Establishing these sandbox sites also points to India’s broader efforts to build an ecosystem that supports AAM’s safe and efficient deployment.
This is supported by the guidance issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in September last year on the type certification of eVTOL aircraft. The document provides detailed material for meeting certification requirements, including performance-based airworthiness criteria. It outlines safety requirements for design, equipment and components, structural strength, powerplant installation, and flight crew interface to simplify the certification process. This aligns India’s approach with global efforts to standardise eVTOL certification and offers clear direction to manufacturers developing related components. After the decision, India’s UAM market also has seen several agreements with international partners to launch air taxi services. These include Archer Aviation, Brazil-based Eve Air Mobility, and Electra. Aero, focusing on direct-to-destination passenger flights in major urban areas.
At the same time, the Indian government is encouraging the country’s development as a hub for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services, aiming to strengthen the aviation ecosystem and create more jobs. So, what changes is the advent of electric eVTOLs likely to bring to the MRO segment? Traditionally, MRO has involved heavy maintenance checks, often requiring aircraft to be grounded for extended periods. These checks can vary in duration depending on usage, wear and tear, and manufacturer requirements. Detailed inspections are carried out on engines, landing gear, and interior panels, with even lavatories removed for servicing. Restoring engine performance alone can take considerable time. Typically, the process starts with incoming inspections before disassembly and reassembly begin.
Meanwhile, eVTOL aircraft have a different maintenance model from traditional aircraft. Fewer moving parts, no combustion engines, and simplified propulsion systems will require less frequent and less intensive maintenance. This could reduce aircraft downtime and lower operational costs. They are highly digitised and automated, enabling predictive maintenance through real-time data monitoring. This can help identify issues early, optimise repair schedules, and increase fleet availability. The modular design of many eVTOLs also allows for quicker component replacement rather than time-consuming repairs, further streamlining the MRO process.
That doesn’t mean integrating eVTOLs into the MRO ecosystem will be without challenges. These aircraft bring a new set of components and systems that require specialised attention. Take the batteries, for example—they demand careful monitoring, charging protocols, and timely replacement. The electric propulsion systems and motors differ entirely from those in traditional aircraft. Even the lightweight, high-strength materials used in their construction may call for different maintenance approaches. So, traditional MRO models must evolve to handle these unique demands.
The industry must also ensure there’s no shortage of skilled engineers and technicians who can work with the complexity of eVTOL technology. Yes, it may open up new job opportunities, but key stakeholders need to provide updated tools and focused training to meet the high safety standards these aircraft require.