Delhi NCR Air Taxi Plan to Link Gurugram, CP and Jewar Airport; Phased Rollout on Cards

Air taxi services linking Gurugram, Connaught Place and Jewar International Airport could move into a pilot phase if regulatory approvals are secured, according to a proposal by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The proposed corridor is part of a report on Advanced Air Mobility that recommends introducing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for short urban routes. The idea is to supplement existing transport systems in the National Capital Region, where road congestion continues to strain mobility.

Under the proposal, rooftop facilities on hospitals and commercial buildings could serve as early landing points. However, the report makes it clear that initial operations would prioritise medical logistics - including organ transport - rather than routine passenger services.

According to the report, air taxis operating from rooftop take-off and landing points could help ease urban congestion by reducing travel time and addressing infrastructure bottlenecks.

Rooftop vertiports are described as a scalable and cost-effective alternative, particularly in densely populated cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. These facilities could be developed atop commercial complexes, hospitals, technology parks and residential towers, bringing air mobility services closer to where people live and work.

Regulatory Framework Required

CII has recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) frame a dedicated regulatory structure for such operations. At present, aviation rules do not permit regular commercial rooftop take-offs and landings.

The report was released by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and outlines a phased approach: starting with drone deliveries, followed by medical transport and air ambulance services, before considering broader passenger use.

Infrastructure and Funding

The document also calls for targeted financial support through public institutions to fund vertiports, aircraft and supporting systems. Land acquisition for ground facilities in dense cities remains a challenge, making rooftop infrastructure a more viable short-term option.

While the proposal remains at a preliminary stage, any pilot corridor in Delhi NCR would mark India's first structured step towards integrating advanced air mobility into its urban transport framework.