Archer Aviation, in partnership with Rahul Bhatia’s Interglobe Enterprises (IGE), is set to revolutionize urban mobility in India with its all-electric air taxi service. The company aims to launch operations by 2026, starting with key cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
According to top executives at Archer Aviation, the fare for an air taxi ride from Delhi to Gurugram is expected to be between one and 1.5 times that of an Uber. Nikhil Goel, Chief Commercial Officer at Archer Aviation, stated, “Our goal would be to very quickly get into the same price. In the US, it would definitely be the same price as an Uber fare.”
Compared to the 90-minute journey and Rs 1,500-2,000 cost of an Uber ride, the air taxi will cover the same distance in just seven minutes, with fares ranging from Rs 2,000-3,000. Goel emphasized that despite being slightly on the premium side initially, depending on the route, air taxi fares could match those of Uber.
Archer’s electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, called “Midnight,” is currently undergoing certification by the United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aims to achieve certification by the end of 2024.
Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer Aviation, believes that India will be the biggest eVTOL market globally due to its large population, rapid development, and openness to new technologies.
To facilitate the launch of air taxi services, regulations regarding pilot training, vertiport establishment, and airspace usage by eVTOL aircraft are being developed. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has committed to aligning with FAA regulations, ensuring timely certification for Midnight in India.
Archer plans to operate on three types of routes: airport commuter routes, big commute routes, and leisure routes. The partnership with IndiGo will provide valuable data for developing airport commuter routes, with the Connaught Place to Gurugram route likely being one of the first launched.
The IGE-Archer partnership intends to finance the purchase of up to 200 Midnight aircraft for the Indian market. Details of the purchase deal will be made public later this year.
Archer is in the process of establishing its office in India and collaborating with Interglobe on vertiport development. Goel highlighted Interglobe’s expertise in real estate and hospitality, stating that they will work together to identify suitable locations for vertiports in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
Despite space constraints, discussions with Indian airport operators have been positive, with options like utilizing undeveloped land within airports or building infrastructure atop existing buildings being explored.
While the exact investment figures remain undisclosed, Goel assured that both Archer and Interglobe are committed to significant investments in India, signaling a promising future for air mobility in the country.
