Andhra to Host India's First Giga-Scale Air Taxi Hub

• Andhra partners Sarla for ₹1,300cr eVTOL Sky Factory
• Phase-1 ₹330cr, 150-acre hub with DGCA test runway
• Targets 1,000 aircraft/year; drone taxis by 2029

Andhra Pradesh has made a significant advancement in aviation by collaborating with Bengaluru’s Sarla Aviation to create India’s inaugural large-scale electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) manufacturing hub, referred to as the “Sky Factory.” The ambitious ₹1,300 crore initiative was solidified via an MoU signed between Sarla Aviation and the Andhra Pradesh Airport Development Corporation Ltd (APADCL) during the CII Partnership Summit 2025 in New Delhi.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who revealed the state's plan to introduce India’s inaugural drone taxi services in the next two years, initiated the groundwork for the project’s initial phase in Anantapur district. The ₹330 crore Phase-1 will establish a 150-acre integrated campus at Thimmasamduram in Kalyanadurg Mandal, featuring cutting-edge production lines, research and development centers, composite materials laboratories, and a specialized 2-km runway approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for eVTOL aircraft testing and certification.

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The Sky Factory will encompass the complete value chain design, production, certification, and upkeep of next-generation electric aircraft, featuring Sarla’s premier six-seat “Shunya” hybrid VTOL. When fully functional, the facility intends to produce up to 1,000 aircraft each year, positioning it as one of the largest eVTOL manufacturing centers globally. Phase 2 will increase the campus size by an additional 350 acres, generating numerous high-skill employment opportunities.

Supported by prominent private equity firm Accel and established by experienced professionals from the worldwide eVTOL sector, Sarla Aviation views the initiative as a launchpad to position India as a global hub for advanced air mobility. The program guarantees quicker city travel, less traffic congestion, and cleaner air while enhancing aerospace production and skilled job opportunities in Andhra Pradesh. Commercial activities are aimed for 2029, placing the state at the leading edge of India’s electric aviation transformation.