IndiGo invest in eVTOL startup Sarla Aviation through Ventures arm

IndiGo invest in eVTOL startup Sarla Aviation through Ventures arm

by | Apr 16, 2026 | Innovation

IndiGo have invested in Sarla Aviation, a startup based in Bengaluru developing eVTOL air taxis. New data from India’s Registrar of Companies shows the airline made the investment through IndiGo Ventures, their US$52 million innovation funding arm established in June 2025.

InterGlobe enterprises, IndiGo’s parent company, had previously made an agreement with rival American eVTOL developers Archer. The deal, signed in November 2023, would have launched air taxis in Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai as early as 2026. However, the partnership was non-binding and fell through when Archer could not deliver on the promised timelines.

Nevertheless, it appears IndiGo’s appetite to stake a claim in the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector is undiminished. In January 2026, the carrier contributed to a US$10 million funding round led by Accer on behalf of Sarla Aviation. Founded in 2023, the company claims to be developing ‘India’s most sophisticated eVTOL’. The aircraft is called Shunya, and can fly up to 800km at speeds as great as 250km/h.

Adrian Schmidt, Co-Founder & CEO, writes on Sarla’s website:

We are building a mobility system that empowers everyone – that empowers you. In our relentless pursuit of this goal, we have a clear strategy to transition from today to a future of ultimate inclusion, breaking the boundaries of time and space.

Air taxis could have a significant impact on alleviating traffic in India’s notoriously crowded roads. While the market on the subcontinent could be significant, eVTOLs are currently closest to taking off in the US and the Gulf, with firms including Archer and Joby Aviation nearing regulatory approval for commercial operations.

IndiGo have become India’s largest airline. The carrier joins peers including All Nippon Airways (ANA), IAG, and United Airlines in establishing a venture capital arm. Recent research from Lufthansa Innovation Hub found that airline investment in startups hit a five-year low in 2025, warning that the industry needs to get closer to disruptors or risk losing out.

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IndiGo and Thales sign avionics maintenance contract

IndiGo and Thales sign avionics maintenance contract

by | Sep 19, 2025 | Avionics, MRO IT

Avionics on IndiGo’s fleet of 430 A320 Airbus aircraft will now be maintained by Thales.

The new agreement lasts for 11 years, and includes IndiGo’s growth plans to increase its fleet to 800 craft. Thales’s Repair By The Hour (RBTH) and Avionics By The Hour (ABTH) solutions will be deployed to reduce downtime and ensure critical components are available.

The repairs will take place at IndiGo’s new avionics MRO facility near Delhi Airport in India. An additional 5-year contract has been signed with AvioBook Flight, a Thales company. AvioBook is the only Electronic Flight Bag (EFB) solution authorised by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for paperless EFB, and provides pilots with essential digital tools to manage their crews.

Parichay Datta, Senior Vice-president, Engineering, IndiGo, said:

We are pleased to partner with Thales, a leading aerospace company trusted worldwide for its expertise in avionics support, to augment IndiGo’s maintenance and repairs capabilities.

With IndiGo’s growing scale and fleet, this association aligns with our commitment to offer a hassle-free and safe flying experience to our customers, while ensuring operational excellence and reliability

India has surpassed Brazil and Indonesia to become the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market. Earlier this week, IndiGo announced plans for a route to Athens from January 2026, as it expands its European strategy.

Since its founding in 2005, the airline has become the largest airline in India by passengers carried and fleet size. The partnership with Thales represents a significant step forward in the company’s efforts to guarantee its growing number of pilots and passengers with safety and efficiency.

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