India, currently the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, is expected to witness continued investment in aviation infrastructure, including airport expansion and fleet additions in the coming years. Against this backdrop, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is emerging as a potential next phase in the country’s aviation development. 

A new community paper released by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Deloitte outlines a road map to support the responsible development of AAM in India. 

Titled Activating Advanced Air Mobility in India: A 10-Step Strategy, the report presents an implementation-focused framework to unlock the potential of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and other low-altitude aviation technologies. 

The paper highlights that AAM could complement existing transport systems by improving regional connectivity, reducing congestion, and supporting sustainable economic growth. It also states that such technologies could build on initiatives like the UDAN by expanding connectivity to underserved regions. 

According to the report, more than 300 companies are currently active across the low-altitude aviation value chain in India, including several domestic eVTOL manufacturers. This ecosystem presents an opportunity for the country to strengthen capabilities in innovation, manufacturing and operations in the emerging AAM sector. 

What is the 10-step activation blueprint 

The paper outlines a structured 10-step strategy for deploying AAM in India. The road map begins with defining a clear regional vision and benchmarking global best practices, followed by steps such as regulatory alignment, development of a data strategy, sandbox testing and phased market activation. 

A key recommendation is the creation of regulatory sandboxes, controlled environments that enable governments and industry stakeholders to test technologies, operational models and policy frameworks before full-scale commercialisation. 

The report identifies five strategic pillars to guide AAM development in India: development of India-specific use cases aligned with socio-economic priorities; integration of infrastructure with existing multimodal transport networks; innovation-driven domestic manufacturing and research; safe and transparent airspace governance; and leadership in responsible and sustainable deployment. 

What are the five priority actions 

To support the transition from pilot demonstrations to commercial deployment, the paper highlights five priority actions. These include establishing a comprehensive and adaptive regulatory framework, developing integrated vertiport and supporting infrastructure, building public awareness and community acceptance, demonstrating economic viability and affordability, and strengthening skills development across the ecosystem. 

The road map proposes a three-phase approach—pilot trials, operational evaluation, and commercialisation—supported by measurable indicators such as safety performance, economic outcomes and public sentiment. 

Vignesh Santhanam said AAM should be viewed as a nation-building opportunity rather than only an urban transport solution. “Advanced Air Mobility must be approached as a nation-building opportunity from the outset. While it is often viewed as an urban, premium transport solution, its broader value lies in strengthening regional connectivity, expanding access and supporting economic development. This report provides a practical blueprint to guide AAM deployment in a way that delivers societal value alongside technological progress,” he said. 

Sudeepta Veerapaneni said coordinated action between industry and policymakers will be key to accelerating adoption. “This paper is a call to action for India’s Advanced Air Mobility future. By operationalising AAM sandboxes, aligning policy and regulatory frameworks, and engaging industry and government stakeholders, we can accelerate the deployment of eVTOL technologies and build an integrated ecosystem,” she said.