India’s Industry Confederation Releases Phased Roadmap for AAM

Why It Matters

By formalising AAM integration, the roadmap could unlock a new mobility layer that eases urban congestion, creates green‑energy infrastructure, and opens a multi‑billion‑dollar market for Indian aerospace and logistics firms.

Key Takeaways

• Roadmap targets medical logistics, air ambulances first
• Vertiports to be rooftop, renewable‑energy powered
• Proposes dedicated AAM regulator within DGCA
• Uses Gurugram‑Connaught‑Noida corridor as pilot

Pulse Analysis

India’s rapid urbanisation has strained traditional transport networks, prompting policymakers and industry groups to explore aerial alternatives. Advanced air mobility (AAM) promises to bypass ground congestion by leveraging electric vertical take‑off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The Confederation of Indian Industry’s new report positions AAM as a strategic response, using the Gurugram‑Connaught Place‑Noida corridor to model time‑efficiency gains, airspace coordination, and public acceptance. By framing AAM as a solution to traffic snarls, the roadmap aligns with national priorities for smart city development and sustainable mobility.

The CII roadmap outlines a tiered vertiport rollout, beginning with rooftop facilities on hospitals and commercial towers. These sites will be powered primarily by renewable energy sources, reducing operational carbon footprints and showcasing India’s commitment to green aviation. Financing mechanisms such as leasing frameworks are introduced to lower capital barriers for early operators, while a phased approach ensures infrastructure scales with demand. Emphasising high‑social‑impact missions—medical logistics and air‑ambulance services—provides immediate public value, building trust for later commercial air‑taxi services.

A critical component of the plan is regulatory reform. CII recommends establishing a dedicated AAM authority within the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, tasked with certifying eVTOL aircraft, managing low‑altitude airspace, and harmonising safety standards. Such a body would streamline approvals, attract foreign investment, and accelerate market entry for Indian manufacturers. If implemented, the roadmap could catalyse a domestic AAM ecosystem, generate skilled jobs, and position India as a regional hub for next‑generation urban air transport.