- The two companies announced on Thursday that in 2026, India will see the introduction of an all-electric air taxi service.
- Up to 100 miles can be covered by these “Midnight” e-aircraft with four passengers and a pilot.
- A trip in an air taxi would take roughly 7 minutes instead of the usual 60 to 90 minutes in a car in Delhi.
India’s leading airline, IndiGo, is supported by InterGlobe Enterprises, which also owns American company Archer Aviation. The two companies announced on Thursday that in 2026, India will see the introduction of an all-electric air taxi service that will be “cost-competitive” with on-road services.
If the collaboration is approved by regulators, it will take advantage of the nation with the largest population, which is struggling with extreme ground transportation gridlock and urban pollution.
E-Air Taxis
Electromechanical vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which are being hailed as the future of urban air mobility, are manufactured by Archer Aviation with support from companies such as Boeing, Stellantis, and United Airlines.
Up to 100 miles (about 161 kilometers) can be covered by these “Midnight” e-aircraft with four passengers and a pilot. The national capital of India, Delhi, the financial hub of Mumbai, and Bengaluru, also referred to as India’s Silicon Valley, are the intended launch cities for the 200 aircraft service.
According to the companies, a trip in an air taxi would take roughly 7 minutes instead of the usual 60 to 90 minutes in a car in Delhi.
The e-aircraft will be used for cargo, logistics, medical, emergency, and charter services, according to InterGlobe Enterprises, which also owns nearly 38% of IndiGo parent company InterGlobe Aviation and operates hospitality and logistics companies.
In July, Archer signed an agreement worth $142 million with the U.S. Air Force to supply six Midnight aircraft, and in October, the company announced that it would begin operating an air taxi service in the United Arab Emirates.
