India’s Largest Electric Air Taxi Hub: Andhra Pradesh & Sarla Aviation to Build ₹1,300 Cr ‘Sky Factory’
ANANTAPUR : In a major leap for Urban Air Mobility (UAM) in India, the Andhra Pradesh government has finalized a deal to construct the country's largest electric air taxi manufacturing facility. Dubbed the "Sky Factory," this project is a collaboration with Bengaluru-based Sarla Aviation and promises to revolutionize how Indians commute.
Here is everything you need to know about this massive ₹1,300 crore aviation project.
Key Highlights : The Andhra Pradesh Air Taxi Project
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Partner : Sarla Aviation (Bengaluru-based).
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Location : Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.
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Investment : ₹1,300 Crore ($154 Million approx).
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Product : 6-seater Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
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Launch Timeline : Testing in 2027; Commercial production in 2029.
What is the 'Sky Factory' in Anantapur?
The Sky Factory is being touted as India's first "giga-scale" ecosystem for electric air taxis. Located in Thimmasamudram in the Kalyandurg Mandal of Anantapur district, the facility will initially span 150 acres.
Unlike traditional airports, this facility is designed specifically for eVTOLs (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft. These futuristic Electric vehicle can take off and land vertically like helicopters but cruise with the speed and efficiency of airplanes, eliminating the need for long runways.
According to the Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Ltd (APADCL), the facility will include :
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State-of-the-art R&D centers.
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Composite material labs.
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A dedicated 2 km runway for DGCA-certified flight testing.
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Capacity to manufacture 1,000 aircraft annually.
When Will Air Taxis Launch in India?
While the hype is high, the timeline is set for the end of the decade. Sarla Aviation targets the following milestones:
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2027 : Flight testing begins.
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2029 : Commercial production and operations commence.
The facility will produce the 'Shunya' hybrid VTOL, a 6-seater aircraft designed to decongest India's busiest metro cities. By 2029, Sarla Aviation aims to shrink hours of City traffic into minutes of flight time.
Why Andhra Pradesh is Becoming an Aviation Hub
This partnership highlights Andhra Pradesh's aggressive push to become the drone and aviation capital of India. The state government, led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, is leveraging the Rayalaseema region's proximity to Bengaluru (India's tech capital) to attract aerospace investments.
In addition to Sarla Aviation, the state has signed a pact with US-based Carbonatik LLC. This separate ₹7,100 crore deal focuses on establishing an MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) facility and a drone manufacturing unit at Kurnool Airport.
The Future of Sustainable Mobility
Rakesh Gaonkar, Co-founder and CTO of Sarla Aviation, stated at the CII Summit in Visakhapatnam that the goal is to "let India design, build, test, fly, and operate the world's most advanced eVTOL systems."
With the Sky Factory, India enters the global race for sustainable aerial mobility, competing with advanced hubs currently being developed in California and Munich.
FAQ : Electric Air Taxis in India
Q : What is an eVTOL?
A : An eVTOL stands for electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft. It uses electric power to hover, take off, and land vertically, making it ideal for urban environments.
Q : Where will the air taxi factory be built?
A : The factory will be built in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.
Q : Who is Sarla Aviation?
A : Sarla Aviation is a Bengaluru-based company founded in 2023 by eVTOL industry veterans, backed by investors like Accel.