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Understanding how AAM is shaping the future of flight in India
The idea of hopping into a flying taxi and skipping the traffic sounds futuristic – almost like a scene from a sci-fi movie. But in India, where traffic congestion, poor intercity connectivity, and environmental concerns are daily realities, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) isn’t just a dream – it’s becoming a necessity.
At AirMobilityIndia.in, we’re working to demystify AAM for every Indian – from students and startups to policymakers and everyday commuters. One of the most common questions we get is: How is AAM different from conventional aviation?
Let’s break it down.
What is Conventional Aviation?
Conventional aviation refers to the commercial and private air travel we’re already familiar with – the kind that relies on large airliners (like Airbus or Boeing planes), operates out of big airports, and flies long distances. It’s regulated, efficient, and has been a reliable form of transportation for decades. In India qwe have seen explosive growth in commercial airline networks, reaching many more cities than previously as investment in India’s airport infrastructure has delivered many more operational airports with a target of 225 before the end of this decade.
But let’s be honest – it’s not always accessible or practical for everyone in India. Why?
- Limited network access: Many Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities still lack modern airport infrastructure capable of supporting larger aircraft and attracting commercial airline service.
- Hub and spoke networks: the economics of air travel and the need for larger aircraft with, typically, at least one hundred seats, leads to network consolidation and concentration.
- Underserved regions: demand in smaller regional destinations is insufficient to fill the larger aircraft leading to gaps in regional connectivity.
- High cost for short trips: Flying between nearby cities like Pune and Mumbai is expensive and not time-efficient.
- Crowded airports: Long check-in and security queues make the flying experience frustrating, especially for short-haul travel.
- Environmental impact: Conventional aircraft emit large amounts of CO₂, contributing to climate change, and as growth in air travel continues apace the problem just keeps getting worse.
Not all conventional air travel is by larger airliners however, There are other options in what we call ‘on-demand’ or ‘private aviation’. This enables customers to own or charter a whole aircraft to meet their travel needs, whether that employs a private jet, a small turboprop or a helicopter. Whilst using an aircraft with only to number of seats you need for you group reduces the cost compared to an airliner this mode of conventional aviation has still remained very high and out of reach of most people.
Larger private jets still need modern airport infrastructure. More flexible smaller turboprops are better able to reach more remote airstrips, and helicopters offer great flexibility and don’t require runways. However helicopters are very noisy and very expensive to operate, and the fleet of all types of private aviation aircraft in India has remained relatively small, primarily because of the high cost.
Finally. Conventional Aviation has been defined and enabled by its reliance on conventional aviation fuel – universally known as Jet-A. This oil-based fuel – kerosene essentially – has been a great enabler for aviation growth with evermore sophisticated turbine engine designed developed to ake use of its high-density energy and widespread availability. Conventional Aviation in many ways is the quintessential fossil-fuel based industry. But the growing impact of global aviation on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change is increasing pressure on the industry to find ways to decarbonise, and reduce or eliminate carbon and other noxious emissions. New sources of power are needed that tackle the problem.
What is Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)?
AAM is an emerging ecosystem that uses electric or hybrid-electric aircraft – like eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles) – to carry passengers over short to medium distances. These aircraft can take off from smaller areas like vertiports and are designed for urban and regional routes.
But AAM isn’t just about flying taxis. It’s a sustainable, tech-driven, and inclusive vision of air travel – one that could connect villages to cities, suburbs to city centers, tier 2 and 3 cities to tier 1 urban centers, reducing daily commute times, filling the regional service gap, and open up new economic opportunities.
The new propulsion technologies of AAM, freed from the use of conventional aviation fuel, also promise to offer significant reductions in operating costs, and therefore the potential for greater access for India’s time-poor but price sensitive travellers.
Key Differences: AAM vs Conventional Aviation
| Feature | Conventional Aviation | Advanced Air Mobility |
| Aircraft Type | Jets, turboprops | eVTOLs, hVTOLs, eSTOLs |
| Fuel Type | Aviation fuel | Electric or hybrid-electric |
| Infrastructure | Full-scale airports | Vertiports or Short airstrips |
| Travel Distance | Long haul (200km–10000km) | Short-to-medium haul (20km–600km) |
| Use Cases | Business, tourism, logistics | Urban commuting & regional access |
| Environmental Impact | High emissions | Low-to-zero emissions |
| Noise Levels | High | Very low |
| Accessibility | Limited to metros & Tier-2 | Targeting Tier 2, Tier 3, & remote areas |
Why AAM Matters in India?
India is unique. We have:
- Over 1.4 billion people, many in under-connected towns and cities
- Severe traffic congestion in metros like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru
- Poor urban air quality from high levels of transport emissions
- A growing aspirational middle class demanding better mobility
- A strong tech and drone ecosystem and a youthful talent pool
- A government committed to green growth and infrastructure innovation
This is the perfect ground for AAM to thrive.
For example:
- A medical emergency in Bhopal could be serviced by an eVTOL in minutes instead of hours.
- A daily commute from Gurugram to Noida could be cut down from 2 hours to 15 minutes.
- Regional businessman could connect to urban markets without long road delays.
JetSetGo’s Role in Building India’s AAM Future
At JetSetGo, we’ve been known for transforming India’s private aviation space. Now, we’re leading the charge in AAM with AirMobilityIndia.in – the country’s first platform dedicated to educating, connecting, and empowering the AAM community.
We’ve partnered with global innovators like:
- SkyDrive (Japan) – Compact eVTOL aircraft
- Electra.aero (USA) – Hybrid STOL for regional routes
- Horizon Aircraft (Canada) – HVTOL aircraft for shorter & longer routes
- EVE Air Mobility / Vector (Brazil) – Air Mobility and Urban Air Traffic Management solutions for India’s skies
Together, we’re building a new aviation infrastructure that’s scalable, clean, and inclusive.
What Can You Do Now?
- Learn about AAM by exploring articles, research papers, and videos on our Resources section
- Join the community and ask questions or share ideas
- Try tools like the Carbon Footprint Calculator and Commute-O-Tracker (launching soon)
- Be part of India’s AAM movement – because this isn’t just the future of flying, it’s the future of how India moves.
Final Thoughts
AAM isn’t here to replace conventional aviation. Instead, it complements it – by filling the critical gaps in urban and regional mobility. For India, this could mean more connected towns, reduced travel stress, lower emissions, and a whole new economy of flight.
The sky isn’t the limit anymore – it’s the starting point.
