For Advanced Electric Air Mobility Solutions, the Government Planning a Regulatory Sandbox
According to reports, the civil aviation ministry is looking at creating a regulatory sandbox for advanced electric air mobility options in India in an attempt to address the problem of increasing urban congestion. According to a media report, Vumlunmang Vualnam, the secretary of civil aviation, stated, "We are ready to encourage and assist advanced air mobility." He was giving a speech at the Greater Noida International Conference on Air Mobility. In addition to developing new solutions for the future, the centre anticipates that the move will help enhance efforts in the research and development of advanced mobility solutions. According to the article, representatives from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have already begun touring possible field locations for advanced air mobility testing trials and other associated activities.
Observing Other International Players
Six working groups pertaining to different facets of advanced air mobility have also been established by the regulating body. The nation is currently investigating the work being done in the areas of airspace management, infrastructure development, and regulatory framework for advanced air mobility by other nations, including the US, EU, Singapore, and Dubai. The ePlane Company, an air mobility startup, teamed up with TCS this month to create electric air mobility solutions for both passenger and freight transportation. The business raised $14 million in its Series B fundraising round two months ago in order to accelerate its commercialisation goals and acquire international regulatory approvals. Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft and associated solutions are developed by the startup.
A Sector with Bundle of Opportunities
With its ability to reduce carbon emissions, ease traffic, and offer quicker, more effective means of transit, advanced air mobility has the potential to completely transform urban transportation. India is in a unique position to gain from these technologies because of its quickly growing metropolitan centres. India's aviation infrastructure is growing, as Vualnam pointed out. There are already more than 150 airports in the nation, and by 2047, there will be 350. India is expected to carry 3.5 billion passengers a year by that point, solidifying its position as one of the aviation economies with the greatest rate of growth in the world. Advanced air transportation solutions could be included in this ecosystem to solve important urban issues and boost economic growth even further.
Major Challenges to Address
Although the future looks bright, there are many obstacles in the way of the broad use of sophisticated air mobility. It takes a lot of money and careful planning to build the required infrastructure, such as charging stations and vertiports. To meet the special needs of eVTOLs and other AAM technologies, airspace management will also need to be rethought. A proactive strategy to address these obstacles is the creation of a regulatory sandbox, which offers a framework for innovation while guaranteeing public safety and regulatory compliance. India may establish itself as a world leader in advanced air mobility by encouraging cooperation between industry participants, legislators, and regulatory agencies.
Nitin Konde
