Central Delhi to Gurugram in 7 minutes on Air Taxis in 2026

IndiGo’s parent firm InterGlobe Enterprises and US-based Archer Aviation will be launching an all-electric air taxi service in India in 2026. This service will begin in Delhi NCR to begin with and shall carry passengers from Connaught Place to Gurugram in just seven minutes. A new way to travel has finally arrived.

Under the deal, Archer Aviation will be supplying 200 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. A single aircraft can carry four passengers besides the pilot. The aircraft functions just like a helicopter with much less noise and better safety measures. Archer currently runs the Midnight air taxi featured below.

As part of their joint venture, InterGlobe and Archer Aviation will launch similar taxi service in Mumbai and Bengaluru besides Delhi.

How much will the air taxi service cost?

Archer Aviation estimates that the price for the 7-minute flight using its five-seater eVTOL aircraft from Connaught Place to Gurugram in Haryana could range from Rs 2,000 to 3,000.

Adam Goldstein, the Founder and CEO of Archer Aviation, stated that ongoing discussions with the US regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicate an advanced stage in the certification process for its aircraft. Certification is expected next year, following which the company will commence the certification process with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Goldstein told PTI that the company expects to commence its flights in India in 2026. The firm also aims to have 200 of its Midnight planes for the operations. After Delhi, Archer Aviation will launch air taxi services in Mumbai and Bengaluru. Airline company InterGlobe also plans to launch the service in other cities going forward.

A car takes around 90 minutes to cover the 27-kilometre distance between Connaught Place and Gurugram, as per Goldstein and costs approximately Rs 1,500.

Nikhil Goel, Archer Aviation’s Chief Commercial Officer, disclosed that the five-seater Midnight aircraft will comfortably seat a pilot and four passengers. Featuring six battery packs, the plane will recharge completely in 30-40 minutes, with approximately one minute of charging equating to one minute of flight time. Additionally, Archer Aviation is in the process of finalising the details for a joint venture with InterGlobe Enterprises.

The company is engaged in discussions with multiple municipalities regarding the infrastructure and other operational aspects of the flight.

Conversations are also underway concerning the real estate space needed for vertiports or launchpads, as well as other essential infrastructure to kickstart flight operations.