Noida International Airport is preparing for a potential new mode of transport as plans take shape to introduce electric air taxi services to improve connectivity across Delhi-NCR and provide faster emergency medical transportation. The airport has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Madras-linked deep-tech startup The ePlane Company (Ubifly Technologies) to develop the infrastructure, safety systems and operational procedures required for the service.
The project is expected to use the company’s indigenous e200X electric aircraft, an eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) vehicle capable of taking off and landing vertically, much like a helicopter. Unlike conventional aircraft, it does not require a long runway, making it suitable for specially designed landing and take-off facilities known as vertiports. The airport will also need to update its standard operating procedures to accommodate electric aircraft safely. The ePlane Company must obtain the necessary approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other relevant authorities before commercial operations can begin.
According to company founder and director Dr. Satyanarayanan Chakravarthy, the initial phase will involve drone trials to assess operational procedures, followed by plans to progress towards piloted e200X flights. The proposed service could eventually connect Noida International Airport with Delhi Airport and other parts of the National Capital Region, potentially offering an alternative to road travel amid heavy traffic.
Beyond passenger transport, the aircraft could also support emergency medical services and air ambulance operations, helping move critically ill patients more quickly when road congestion causes delays. Noida International Airport Chairman Daniel Bircher said incorporating advanced air mobility into the airport’s infrastructure is part of its broader vision for future connectivity. However, the project remains at the planning and approval stage, and no official launch date or confirmed timeline for passenger services has been announced.
