Masterstroke by Deepinder Goyal as Zomato co-founder announces his entry in THIS sector, millions of people to benefit, his new plan is...

India.com

16 hours ago

New Delhi: In a major move that promises to make air travel more accessible for the common man in India, Zomato co-founder Deepinder Goyal has announced his entry into the aviation industry. According to a report by CNBC TV18, Surbhi Das, co-founder of LAT Aerospace, in her Linkedin post said that the two have been quietly working on a new aviation startup for some time.
The motive behind the move is to provide affordable and high-frequency air services to people in smaller cities across the country. According to the reports, Goyal is personally venturing into the aviation sector and has backed former Zomato employee Surbhi Das in launching LAT Aerospace. What did Deepinder Goyal say?
It is important to note that Deepinder Goyal is the non-executive founder of LAT Aerospace. According to the CNBC-TV18 report, the company has raised USD 50 million so far, with Goyal himself investing USD 20 million. Goyal said, 'Imagine buses in the sky—affordable, frequent, and connecting places that traditional airlines have overlooked. Our aircraft will take off from and land at small 'air-stops' that are the size of a parking lot and will be built close to people's homes. No crowds, no long lines for security checks—just walk in and fly.' Why LAT Aerospace? The main aim behind LAT Aerospace is to make air travel as easy and convenient as taking a bus.
India has over 450 airstrips, but only around 150 of them are currently used for commercial flights.
The startup believes that a large part of India's aviation infrastructure remains untapped.
Their goal is to build a dense air network in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities
The company aims to tap into this hidden potential—where people often waste hours or even days traveling by road or rail.
LAT's aircraft will operate from small air-stops that require minimal space for landing and take-off
This will eliminate many issues associated with traditional air travel — such as long journeys to airports, tedious security checks, and delays.
Passengers will be able to reach the air-stop directly, board the aircraft, and make flying a part of daily life. Where Did the Idea Come From?
The idea of LAT Aerospace emerged after Surbhi Das personally experiencing the current state of India's air travel system. She said, 'We (Goyal and I) kept coming back to the same question — why is regional air travel still so poor? It's expensive, infrequent, and out of reach for common people unless you live in a metro city.' This idea eventually evolved into an alternative to traditional air travel — a system that is demand-based, low-cost, and offers frequent flights, essentially creating a 'bus network in the sky.'
LAT Aerospace is not just bringing new aircraft; it's building an entirely new aviation ecosystem. Startup looking to expand its team
The company is now planning to expand its team and is inviting aerospace engineers, system designers, and aviation enthusiasts to join its mission. However, it is important to note that the venture still has to overcome several hurdles such as regulatory approvals, technological feasibility, and public acceptance.