InterGlobe Enterprises, the parent company of India’s leading airline, IndiGo, in collaboration with US-based Archer Aviation, will introduce an all-electric air taxi service in India by 2026. The service aims to transport passengers from Connaught Place in New Delhi to Gurugram in Haryana within a mere 7 minutes.
Archer Aviation will provide 200 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft capable of carrying four passengers along with a pilot. These aircraft function akin to helicopters but with reduced noise and improved safety features. The fleet of 200 planes, each equipped with 12 rotors, is estimated to cost approximately USD 1 billion.
In addition to New Delhi, the joint venture between InterGlobe and Archer Aviation plans to launch similar services in Mumbai and Bengaluru initially. Archer Aviation executives estimate the fare for the seven-minute flight from Connaught Place to Gurugram to be between Rs 2,000 to 3,000 per passenger.
Archer Aviation Founder and CEO Adam Goldstein revealed ongoing discussions with the US regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding aircraft certification, which is anticipated to be completed next year. Following FAA certification, the process will commence for certification by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India.
Goldstein expressed the company’s intention to commence flight operations in India by 2026 with a fleet of 200 Midnight planes. The focus will initially be on New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, where the flight duration from Connaught Place to Gurugram is projected to be approximately 7 minutes, with a fare of Rs 2,000 to 3,000 per passenger.
The five-seater Midnight aircraft will accommodate a pilot and four passengers and will feature six battery packs, allowing for a quick recharge time of 30-40 minutes. Each minute of charge equates to approximately one minute of flight, according to Chief Commercial Officer Nikhil Goel.
Archer Aviation is finalizing the details of its joint venture with InterGlobe Enterprises and is engaging in discussions with various municipalities regarding flight infrastructure requirements. The company plans to leverage InterGlobe’s extensive resources and may seek partners for eVTOL operations in India.
Discussions are also underway regarding the acquisition of real estate for vertiports or launchpads and other necessary infrastructure for flight operations. Archer Aviation will establish its manufacturing facility in the US this year, initially capable of producing up to 650 planes with plans to scale up to 2,000 planes.
Responding affirmatively to inquiries about future manufacturing plans in India, Goldstein mentioned Archer Aviation’s previous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with InterGlobe Enterprises, a prominent Indian travel conglomerate that includes IndiGo.
