The Air Taxi Shown In The Video Is A Prototype. It Has Not Been Launched For Commercial Purposes Yet.

Recently a video of an Air Taxi went viral on social media. The voiceover in the Punjabi language said that people can book this Air Taxi and visit any place they want.  Sharing the video users are claiming that the Air Taxi operates between Amritsar-Chandigarh and Delhi-Jaipur. 

Facebook Link | Archived Link.

However, as we investigated, we came to know that the Air Taxi shown in the video is a prototype and will be launched by 2028. Here’s the fact check.

Fact Check

We started our investigation by conducting a relevant keyword search. This led us to a news report published in The Times Of India on 20 January 2025. An image similar to the vehicle in the viral video was attached to the report. The report read, “Bengaluru-based aerospace startup Sarla Aviation unveiled its prototype air taxi, Shunya, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo. The company plans to launch electric flying taxis in Bangalore by 2028 to introduce urban air transport in India…”

Please read here. Archived Link.

A report published in The Economic Times read, “Sarala Aviation, a Bengaluru-based startup unveiled its prototype air taxi, Shunya, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo on Saturday. The company aims to launch the electric flying taxis in Bengaluru by 2028 to become the first to introduce urban air transport in India. The Shunya prototype is designed for short trips of 20-30 kms and can reach speeds of upto 250 kmph. The vehicle can accommodate up to six passengers and carry a maximum load of 680 kg, which the company said makes it the highest payload eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) vehicle currently on the market. It aims to price the services at levels comparable to existing premium taxi services…”

Please read here. Archived Link.

Further, we found the website of Sarla Aviation where the details of the Flying Taxi, Shunya, were available. 

We found a press release on 27 January 2025 on the Sarla Aviation website according to which Sarla Aviation has laid out a roadmap to commercialize “Shunya” and its services in all major cities across India by 2028.

This makes it clear that the Air Taxi shown in the video is a prototype and is set to launch by 2028.

Conclusion 

From our investigation, we can say that the claim is partly false. The Air Taxi shown in the video is a prototype. The company Sarla Aviation unveiled its prototype Air Taxi at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo. The company plans to launch electric flying taxis in Bangalore by 2028.