IndiGo has entered the urban air mobility race by acquiring a stake in Bengaluru‑based eVTOL startup Sarla Aviation, marking its first direct investment in flying‑taxi technology. The Indian budget carrier, through its investment arm IndiGo Ventures, has committed ₹10 crore to Sarla in an equity deal aimed at supporting the development of an all‑electric “air taxi” platform.
Sarla Aviation is building an eVTOL aircraft branded “Shunya,” designed to carry up to six passengers and operate on short‑range urban routes. The company plans to deploy Shunya from existing helipads at hotels, hospitals, and tech parks in Bengaluru from 2028, focusing on congestion‑free last‑mile connectivity. A half‑scale prototype has already undergone flight testing ahead of further development.
The partnership follows the collapse of an earlier non‑binding arrangement between IndiGo and U.S. eVTOL firm Archer Aviation, where the two sides reportedly diverged over delivery timelines and operational expectations. IndiGo’s pivot to backing a homegrown hardware startup signals a strategic shift toward building relationships with local deep‑tech players rather than relying solely on pre‑existing foreign platforms.
By aligning with Sarla, IndiGo is positioning itself to integrate future air‑taxi services into its broader mobility ecosystem, potentially complementing its short‑haul regional and metro‑linked routes. The move also places IndiGo among a relatively small group of global airlines making direct equity investments in eVTOL developers, underscoring continued interest in electrified urban air mobility despite ongoing regulatory, technical, and commercial uncertainties.
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