India's largest electric flying taxi undergoes testing in Bengaluru
What's the story
Sarla Aviation, a Bengaluru-based aerospace company, has begun ground testing its half-scale electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) demonstrator. The test was conducted today at the company's facility in Bengaluru. The aircraft, named SYLLA SYL-X1, is India's largest and most advanced private eVTOL demonstrator under development.
Engineering feat
SYL-X1: A groundbreaking achievement in Indian aerospace
Sarla Aviation has touted the SYL-X1 as a major engineering achievement, developed in just nine months and at a fraction of the cost of similar global programs. The company said this milestone shows an unprecedented level of engineering scale, execution speed, and systems maturity for a private aerospace company in India. With ground testing now underway, Sarla's air taxi program has entered its core validation phase.
Design intent
A bridge to future aviation
The SYL-X1 is a functional sub-scale aircraft, specifically designed to validate structural behavior, propulsion integration, and system-level safety architecture at a meaningful scale. Unlike academic prototypes or small RC-scale platforms, the demonstrator is built with certification intent from the outset. It directly bridges toward Sarla Aviation's 15-meter wingspan full-scale aircraft. "Our focus has never been on being first but on building to last," said Rakesh Gaonkar, Co-Founder and CTO of Sarla Aviation.
Funding boost
Sarla Aviation's long-term execution capability and future plans
Along with the ground testing of SYL-X1, Sarla Aviation also showcased a full-scale static aircraft at Bharat Mobility show. The company has raised $13 million in funding to strengthen its long-term execution capability. Sarla's flagship program is a six-seater electric flying taxi, which aims to significantly cut down commute times in India's busiest cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune.
Strategic alliance
Sarla Aviation and BIAL's partnership for sustainable air mobility
In 2024, Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), which runs Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), had partnered with Sarla Aviation to bring electric flying taxis to India. The two organizations signed a statement of collaboration to explore sustainable air mobility, especially eVTOL aircraft. This partnership marks a major step toward making electric flying taxis a reality in India.