Archer Aviation, the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle startup, has partnered with Indian travel and hospitality group InterGlobe Enterprises to launch an all-electric air taxi service in the country in 2026. If successful, it will make the South Asian country its second international market outside the United States to pilot ambitious air taxi operations after the United Arab Emirates.
The service, which is subject to regulatory approvals and permits, will be “cost competitive with ground transportation” and will improve urban mobility in the world’s most populous country through low-noise electric taxis, the companies said on Thursday. The partnership plans to finance the purchase of up to 200 Archer “Midnight” aircraft. The vertical take-off and landing aircraft accommodates four passengers and a pilot, and can fly up to 100 miles.
Starting with routes in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, the electric air taxi service aims to complete a journey of around 17 miles in the national capital in 7 minutes – a journey that would normally take 60 to 90 minutes by car.
Archer and InterGlobe plan to work with local companies to operate electric aircraft, finance and build the vertical airport infrastructure, and train pilots and other personnel needed for operations. The two companies are also looking to explore different use cases for the aircraft apart from urban air taxi service, including cargo, logistics, medical and emergency services, as well as private corporate and charter services.
Counting Boeing and United Airlines among its investors, Archer secured a $142 million deal in August to provide up to six midnight flights for the US Air Force. The California-based company wants to replace car rides with its eVTOL rides in urban areas. In August, the company received FAA certification to begin testing eVTOL flights in the United States. It also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office last month to begin its services in the UAE in 2026.
“India is one of, if not the biggest, opportunity for eVTOL aircraft in the world, as it is home to the world’s largest population of over 1.4 billion people, and its largest cities face some of the world’s greatest congestion challenges.” He said Archer CEO and founder Adam Goldstein, in a prepared statement. “Archer’s all-electric Midnight Jet is designed to provide a revolutionary transportation solution that can help address these congestion issues.”
InterGlobe Enterprises, which backs IndiGo, India’s largest airline, is looking to expand its presence in the affordable transportation space with the new partnership.
“We are excited about this new opportunity to offer an efficient, futuristic and sustainable transportation solution by introducing Archer electric aircraft to India,” said Rahul Bhatia, Managing Director, InterGlobe Group.
Urban transport in India has started to face challenges as the country has witnessed a rapid increase in the number of passenger cars and commercial vehicles in the last few years, coupled with limited road expansion and non-uniform road geometry across cities. While the state authorities have emphasized the use of public transportation to reduce traffic congestion, the country is yet to find a suitable solution and is looking at next-generation options, including air taxis and hyperloop, for a sustainable future.