DGCA Issues New Guidelines for Air Taxi Licence

To advance the licensing process for air taxis in India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced new guidelines for the airworthiness certification of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

This initiative is aimed at fostering the growth of advanced air mobility solutions while ensuring the safety and dependability of emerging eVTOL technologies, according to the DGCA. eVTOLs, which can take off and land vertically and are powered by electric systems, are anticipated to become a significant component of India's aviation sector.

The nation intends to introduce air taxis by 2026, with InterGlobe Aviation Limited, the parent company of IndiGo, already having ordered 200 eVTOLs from the US firm Archer.

The initial service will operate on the Delhi-Gurugram route, significantly reducing the travel time from the current 1.5 to 2 hours by road to just 7 minutes.

Additional services are planned to be introduced in Mumbai and Bengaluru in subsequent phases.

The new advisory circular from the DGCA establishes comprehensive safety standards, covering aspects such as design, construction, flight performance, structural integrity, and crew interface of eVTOL aircraft.

This move is designed to simplify the certification process for these aircraft in India.

The DGCA's efforts are part of a broader global initiative to standardize eVTOL certification and encourage innovation in the development and production of eVTOL technology within India's aviation sector.

Recently, the DGCA also released guidelines for vertiports, the designated hubs for eVTOL operations.

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu also praised the new initiatives.