Bangaloreans have been complaining for years about the traffic that they have to navigate through if they want to go to the airport from the main city. The complaint has finally been heard and is about to get resolved. Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and Sarla Aviation, an aerospace component manufacturing company, have collaborated to explore a sustainable and advanced air travel option from the city to airport that would bring the travel time from 1.5 hours to just five minutes. The time taken to travel from Electronic City to BLR Airport is set to reduce to under 20 minutes, as compared to 152 minutes which it would take if travelled by road.
This steep reduction in travel time will be made possible through an electric powered seven-seater aircraft - eVTOL.
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Dream To Become Reality
Sarla Aviation announced a collaboration with Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) to make Bengaluru the first airport in India equipped for electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. eVTOL technology, which relies on electric power for vertical takeoff, landing, and hovering similar to helicopters, represents a significant advancement in air mobility.
eVTOLs are being developed as part of the broader initiative to enhance advanced air mobility (AAM), offering urban transportation solutions such as air taxis, cargo deliveries, and emergency medical services. These innovative aircraft are viewed as a key component in the future of urban mobility, with the potential to ease traffic congestion and create more efficient transportation systems, especially in metropolitan areas.
As per the official website of the company, the said aircraft will be capable of travelling up to 160km, however, ideally it will be designed for the typical 20-40 kilometre inner-city commutes. The company added, "Equipped with four, double-isolated battery packs, our eVTOL powers seven electric motors. Sarla achieves speeds up to 250 km/h, transforming hour-long commutes into mere minutes. It is built to accommodate a pilot, and comfortable seating for 6 passengers, along with their luggage. It is also capable of performing back-to-back 40-kilometer trips with just 15 minutes of charging time in between."