Bengaluru-based Sarla Aviation is set to create a futuristic aviation hub in Andhra Pradesh with an investment of ₹1,300 crore. The 500-acre campus in Thimmasamudram, Anantapur district, will focus on producing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, popularly known as flying taxis.
The facility will be more than just a factory. It will house design and engineering labs, pilot training centres, maintenance units, and flight-testing areas, aiming to manufacture up to 1,000 aircraft per year. This is expected to make it one of the world’s largest eVTOL production sites.
Rakesh Gaonkar, Co-founder and CTO of Sarla Aviation, said: “Our goal is for India to design, build, test, fly, and operate advanced eVTOL aircraft from a single integrated campus. This project is a step toward making India a leader in the future of urban air mobility.”
Advanced infrastructure will include a two-kilometre runway, special VTOL testing pads, and India’s largest wind tunnel. The campus will also produce critical components such as powertrains, landing gear systems, flight-control computers, and composite materials.
Sustainability is a key focus. The facility will use renewable energy, recycle water, maintain zero liquid discharge, and implement eco-friendly practices for metal and composite waste. The Andhra Pradesh government is partnering with Sarla Aviation to support infrastructure, research, and certification processes.
By 2029, the campus is expected to support commercial air-taxi services in South India while creating thousands of high-skilled jobs and helping local small businesses join the aviation supply chain.
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