Introducing Sarla Aviation: Revolutionizing Air Travel in India
Sarla Aviation, a trailblazing startup in the electric air taxi industry, launched just a year ago with a mission tailored for India’s bustling streets. Named after Sarla Thukral, India’s pioneering female pilot, the company is set on redefining urban transportation by focusing on aircraft that prioritize carrying capacity over extensive range. As Adrian Schmidt, co-founder and CEO of Sarla Aviation, aptly puts it, “In India, a shorter range is fine, as long as you can offer it at an attractive price point. And that’s what we’re trying to achieve with this higher payload.”
Strategic Funding and Expansion Plans
This innovative approach has resonated well with investors. On Tuesday, Sarla Aviation announced a successful $10 million Series A1 funding round led by Accel. Angel investors including Binny Bansal (Flipkart co-founder), Nikhil Kamath (Zerodha co-founder), and Sriharsha Majety (Swiggy co-founder) also contributed. With these funds, the startup aims to establish an R&D center in Bengaluru, significantly expand its team from 30 to possibly over 120 members, and develop new prototypes to enhance data collection and validation efforts.
Revolutionary Design and Operational Strategy
Unlike typical flying taxi concepts that support two to four passengers, Sarla Aviation is engineering a vehicle designed to accommodate six passengers plus a pilot, with a total weight capacity of up to 680 kilograms (1,500 pounds). This increased payload naturally reduces the range to about 160 kilometers (99 miles) per battery charge—less than the usual flying taxi range of 120-160 miles but perfect for urban commutes.
“India’s geopolitical position will play a major role in how power dynamics shift,” Schmidt shared, reinforcing his decision to kickstart this venture in India.
– Adrian Schmidt
The Journey of Founding Sarla Aviation
Adrian Schmidt co-founded Sarla Aviation in January 2024 alongside Rakesh Gaonkar and Shivam Chauhan. Both Schmidt and Gaonkar had previously worked at Lilium, a German company focused on regional electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. After seeing India as a fertile market for their innovation due to its dense urban environments and evolving transportation needs, they relocated to Bengaluru. Chauhan joined them after returning from the U.S., setting the stage for their ambitious project.
Showcasing Innovation: The Prototype Reveal
Sarla Aviation is poised to unveil its first prototype air taxi, Shunya (meaning ‘zero’ in Hindi), at an industry event in New Delhi on January 17. Testing is slated to begin later this year with the goal of launching commercial air taxi services by 2028. Initially targeting airport transfers in Bengaluru—one of the world’s most congested cities—the company envisions expanding operations to Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune.
Affordable Air Travel and Social Impact
Sarla Aviation’s ticket pricing strategy aims to rival top-tier Uber or Ola fares initially but expects costs to decrease over time to mirror typical auto-rickshaw fares in India. Beyond commercial services, the startup plans to introduce a free air ambulance service alongside its ride-share offerings.
- The startup is leveraging third-party suppliers for prototype production but aims for 80% indigenous sourcing by commercial launch.
- Sarla Aviation will face competition from well-funded Archer Aviation and ePlane—both aiming to introduce flying taxis in India next year.
