Air-Taxi startup Sarla Aviation welcomes Rajiv Bansal as strategic advisor
Sarla Aviation Takes Flight with Rajiv Bansal as Strategic Advisor
Sarla Aviation, an Indian startup focused on urban air mobility and next-generation aircraft systems, is set to soar to new heights following the appointment of Rajiv Bansal as a strategic advisor in August 2025. Bansal, with over 30 years of experience in aviation policy and operations, brings a wealth of knowledge to the table as a former Civil Aviation Secretary and ex-Managing Director of Air India.
The strategic move is expected to strengthen Sarla's regulatory and certification strategy, as Bansal's extensive background in civil aviation will aid in navigating the complexities of the industry. Adrian Schmidt, Co-founder and CEO of Sarla Aviation, believes Bansal's experience will help mature Sarla Aviation's processes.
Sarla Aviation is currently in a critical phase, refining its regulatory strategy, developing certification processes, and scaling operations. This next phase of growth is being prepared with Bansal's advisement, with the aim of aligning the startup with aviation authorities and engaging with key stakeholders, including airports and city administrations.
One of Sarla Aviation's most significant achievements to date is the unveiling of its six-seater electric air taxi prototype, named Shunya, at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025 in Delhi. The company plans to launch air taxi services starting with Bengaluru by 2028, followed by expansions into other major cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune. This effort aligns with India’s broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, aiming to introduce safe, clean, and accessible urban air mobility throughout the country.
In tandem with technological development, Sarla Aviation is collaborating with infrastructure firm Makmor to establish a nationwide vertiport ecosystem—critical for supporting the urban air taxi operations. This partnership focuses on integrating vertiports into residential, commercial, and hospitality settings across India, demonstrating a holistic approach to urban air mobility infrastructure buildup.
The market and investor response to Bansal’s involvement has been positive, boosting confidence in Sarla’s strategic direction and operational capabilities. The startup, founded in 2023 and based in Bengaluru, secured over USD 12 million in funding from investors this year. With Bansal's guidance on regulatory policy, certification strategy, and scaling operations, Sarla Aviation is well-positioned to redefine mass transportation in India.
In summary, Sarla Aviation's appointment of Rajiv Bansal as a strategic advisor marks a major step toward its goal of building safe, clean, and accessible air mobility solutions across India. With the unveiling of the Shunya prototype and plans to launch air taxi services by 2028, Sarla Aviation is transitioning from engineering development to real-world deployment and flight testing. The partnership with Makmor to develop vertiport infrastructure nationwide further underscores Sarla Aviation's commitment to a holistic approach to urban air mobility.
- The appointment of Rajiv Bansal as a strategic advisor is expected to strengthen Sarla Aviation's leadership in navigating the complexities of the civil aviation industry and securing regulatory approvals.
- Sarla Aviation's focus on developing certification processes and scaling operations is an integral part of its strategy for growth, with the aim of aligning with aviation authorities and engaging with key stakeholders.
- With the unveiling of the Shunya prototype, Sarla Aviation demonstrates its commitment to innovation in the field of urban air mobility and plans to launch air taxi services by 2028.
- Sarla Aviation's partnership with infrastructure firm Makmor for building vertiport ecosystems nationwide showcases its comprehensive vision for the future of urban air mobility infrastructure.
- The strategic move of appointing Rajiv Bansal and the subsequent funding may attract more investors, boosting Sarla Aviation's growth potential and positioning it as a key player in India's efforts towards Vision 2047, which aims to introduce safe, clean, and accessible urban air mobility throughout the country.
