New Delhi, July 31

Tata Group-promoted Air India will study the use of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, or electric air taxis, for time-critical healthcare deliveries in India as part of a feasibility study aimed at addressing medical logistics challenges arising from severe urban congestion.

Accordingly, the airline has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japan-based eVTOL manufacturer SkyDrive Inc. and Suzuki Motor Corporation to jointly evaluate the deployment of eVTOL aircraft for medical air logistics across the country.

The study, a joint statement said, will assess the feasibility of using eVTOL aircraft for transporting time-sensitive medical supplies, with the three companies combining SkyDrive’s aircraft technology, Air India’s operational expertise and airport infrastructure knowledge, and Suzuki’s understanding of the Indian market.

Besides, the statement said the initiative is aimed at developing last-mile emergency medical logistics solutions that could help reduce transit times in congested urban centres, where road traffic often delays the movement of critical medical supplies.

According to Ramesh Mamidala, Head of Cargo at Air India, advanced air mobility represents a natural extension of India’s rapidly expanding aviation ecosystem.

“India is today one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing aviation markets, and we see advanced air mobility as a natural extension of the country’s transport ecosystem,” he said.

Furthermore, Mamidala said the use of eVTOL aircraft for medical logistics combines technological innovation with practical healthcare applications.

“The potential application of eVTOL aircraft for medical air logistics is particularly compelling because it combines technology and purpose, helping to reduce critical transit times when every minute can make a difference,” he said.

He added that Air India would contribute its operational expertise, airport infrastructure knowledge and stakeholder relationships to help evaluate a framework for safe, reliable and scalable eVTOL operations.

In addition, the statement said the feasibility study will examine the operational, infrastructure and ecosystem requirements for introducing eVTOL-based medical logistics in India before any commercial deployment is considered.

Published on July 31, 2026