Bengaluru-based startup Sarla Aviation has unveiled its prototype air taxi, Shunya, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo.
According to company and media reports the Shunya prototype is designed to carry up to six passengers on 20-30 km trips and can reach speeds of up to 250 kmph. The company aims to launch an electric flying taxi service in Bengaluru by 2028, alongside urban air ambulance services.
This follows a recent announcement of USD10 million in funding.
The company says Sarla’s hybrid-lift-and-cruise eVTOL offers the highest payload in the market, capable of carrying up to 680 kg—allowing 35% more passengers per flight at 4X lower ticket prices compared to western competitors.
According to Adrian Schmidt, Co-Founder and CEO of Sarla Aviation. “Our first priority is to build a mass mobility system that serves and enables India like cars once transformed and enabled the United States….We also plan to launch a free-of-cost air ambulance service, addressing the urgent need for rapid medical response and saving countless lives by eliminating traffic-related delays. By prioritizing simplicity and affordability, we aim to create a scalable solution that meets the needs of tomorrow’s Viksit Bharat and fuels the country’s ambition to become a global superpower.”
For more information
https://www.theweek.in/news/biz-tech/2025/01/18/sarla-aviation-unveils-made-in-india-shunya-air-taxi-wants-to-become-indias-airbus.html
https://www.sarla-aviation.com/news-stories/sarla-launches-shunya-at-bharat-mobility-expo-2025
https://www.sarla-aviation.com/news-stories/sarla-raises-10m-from-accel-nikhil-kamath-and-pioneers