Experts highlight several challenges preventing heli-taxi services from taking off in Bengaluru, despite recent efforts to introduce electric air taxis for airport commutes. Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) and Sarla Aviation recently announced a partnership to develop air taxis that could fly passengers from Electronics City to the airport in just 19 minutes for Rs 1,700, a significant improvement over the 2.5-hour Vayu Vajra bus journey or the 75-minute cab ride.
However, experts point to a lack of infrastructure, regulatory challenges, and limited demand as key factors hindering the success of these services. Currently, only two of the 300 helipads in the city are authorized for use, creating a bottleneck for operations. Dr. Shalini Nalwad of ICATT Air Ambulance emphasized that significant regulatory work is needed before heli-taxis can become a viable option for daily commuters.
Hunch Mobility, which previously operated air taxis between Electronics City and Bengaluru Airport, paused its services in October 2022 due to weather-related challenges and demand constraints. Thumby Aviation has yet to offer a flight in Bengaluru, citing time-consuming regulatory approvals and weather testing.
While the concept of air mobility is popular among the corporate crowd, experts like Ashish Verma from IISc note that the current price point and niche market are also limiting growth. Despite the competitive Rs 1,700 fare, the operational costs and demand fluctuations may present obstacles for sustained service viability.
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