Electric Flying Taxis: Airport To Electronic City In 19 Minutes

Yes, the title seems a little futuristic

and Kempegowda International Airport to Electronic City would take around a minimum of 1 hr 30 mins on a good day with an average traffic.

Sounds a little bit unbelievable too.

Do not worry my dear passengers, an upgrade to transportation has been initiated from Bangalore International Airport to Electronic city.

Now it will only take 19 minutes for the passengers to travel from Bangalore Airport to Electronic city, and there is a surprise element to it.

You won’t be travelling via road or by rail, you people are going to travel by the Air.

Yes! you heard us right.

Sarla Aviation aims to revolutionize air travel by introducing seven-seater flying taxis in Bangalore. Which by the way promises faster travel, cleaner, and more efficient transportation.

Bangalore International Airport Limited aka BIAL, which operates the Kempegowda International Airport aka KIA, recently entered into a partnership with city-based Sarla Aviation to launch electric flying taxis.

These two entities signed a statement of collaboration to explore sustainable air mobility, specifically electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft aka Evtol.

Electric Flying Taxis With Seating For Seven

Sarla Aviation’s seven-seater electric flying taxis are expected to reduce travel time to passengers significantly. One of the proposed routes is between Bengaluru International Airport to Electronic City, a 51.7 kilometer stretch that could be covered in just 19 minutes, compared to the current travel time of nearly 2 hours in normal hours and 3 hours during rush hours.

The approximate fare for this service is expected up to be around Rs. 1,700 per person.

Co-founder and CEO of Sarla Aviation, Adrian Schmidt, told PTI (The Press Trust of India Ltd) that: "We aim to redefine urban air transport with operational efficiency, reduced carbon emissions, and scalable infrastructure. Our electric flying taxis will set new benchmarks in reliability and performance, aligning with global standards for sustainable aviation.”

Bangalore’s Traffic Situation

Bangalore is often ranked among the cities with the slowest traffic speeds. A recent survey conducted by TOMTOM, a geolocation technology company, placed Bangalore in 6th place worldwide for traffic congestion. The survey revealed that during rush hour, it takes an average of 30 minutes to cover just 10 kilometers.

Challenges: Regulatory Approvals And Prototype Development

1. Regulatory Approval: They must meet strict safety, design, and operational standards set by Aviation Authorities for commercial use.
2. Prototype Development: They need to create a reliable prototype to demonstrate performance, safety, and efficiency.
3. Scalability and Trust: They need to scale up for mass production and gain public confidence in the technology.

Safety: Built-In Redundancy And Fail-Safe Measures

1. Redundancy: It should be equipped with multiple backup systems to handle failures, like redistributing power if a propeller fails.
2. Critical System Backups: They should have backup systems for key functions like avionics, battery management, and flight controls.
3. Real Time Monitoring: They should be equipped with advanced sensors and automated systems to detect and address issues during flights.

Infrastructure: Leveraging Helipads And Urban Planning

1. Helipads: As per Karnataka’s regulations helipads are allowed on buildings which are over 60 meters tall, which can be used for air taxis.
2. Air Traffic Management: Establishing systems and designated air corridors to navigate urban skies safely.
3. Charging Stations: There should be dedicated stations for recharging electric flying taxis.
4. Urban Planning Coordination: Collaboration with city planners and policymakers for unified integration into transportation networks.

The introduction of flying taxis may offer commuters a faster and more sustainable alternative to navigating the city’s crowded roads. Sarla Aviation said that operation may still be two or three years away. It added that electric taxis promise a clearer, quieter, and more cost-effective alternative to traditional helicopter services, previously offered in Bangalore.