The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has outlined a plan to establish a pilot air corridor linking Gurugram, Connaught Place, and Jewar International Airport. This initiative aims to reduce travel time and address urban congestion effectively. The CII report, titled ‘Navigating the Future of Advanced Air Mobility in India,’ was unveiled by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu.
To facilitate the integration of Advanced Air Mobility solutions like electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft into Indian airspace, the CII suggests creating a dedicated regulatory body within the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This entity would focus on setting standards for safety, operations, and airworthiness tailored to emerging technologies.
The report emphasizes the importance of collaboration with urban planning authorities and Smart City initiatives to incorporate AAM corridors and vertiport locations into city master plans. By ensuring land availability, multimodal connectivity, and infrastructure for battery charging, these efforts can support the growth of advanced air mobility in India.
Rooftop vertiports are identified as a practical and cost-effective solution for cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. However, current DGCA regulations do not permit routine commercial vertical take-offs and landings from rooftops. The report suggests that leveraging rooftops for vertiports can overcome challenges related to land acquisition and regulatory delays.
In order to support Advanced Air Mobility initiatives, the report calls for the establishment of dedicated financing mechanisms by public financial institutions and government grant agencies. These instruments could mitigate investment risks and facilitate long-term capital flows into the sector.
The CII report also recommends exploring drone-based logistics operations for cargo and medical supply deliveries within 50–100 km ranges. It underscores the need for early planning of take-off and landing infrastructure, advocating for the identification of high-potential urban zones through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs).
Grounded in a corridor-based case study, the report serves as a strategic resource for policymakers, regulators, investors, and industry stakeholders involved in shaping the future of safe, scalable, and sustainable air mobility in India.
