New Delhi: To ease traffic congestion in metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune, the government plans to introduce an indigenously developed air taxi service, with trial runs set to begin by 2026, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu announced in Pune.
The Aeronautical Society of India organised a two-day national conference titled “Challenges in Aerospace for Viksit Bharat- 2047” and 73rd Annual General Meeting at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Auditorium, Pashan.
After the conference was inaugurated, Naidu announced that India had made progress in the aviation sector and aimed to establish itself globally by 2047.
Naidu said western countries like the USA were actively working in the aviation sector and that India was also developing with the help of modern technology.
“More than 35 per cent of aircraft components are now manufactured in India including helicopter equipment. The government is working on increasing domestic production and expanding air transport. Steps are being taken towards developing air taxis, with trials planned by 2026,” he said.
Naidu said the Civil Aviation Ministry was also working on regional air connectivity. “Fifty new airports will be built in the next five years, and by 2047, the total number of airports will exceed 200. Noida and Navi Mumbai airports are in the final stages of construction, and flights will begin soon,” he added.
Naidu informed that India has around 30,000 drones in operation, with plans to increase the number to three lakh by 2047. He said the government will reduce import duties on drone equipment to promote domestic production.
