Latest news with #SarlaAviation
Entrepreneur
07-08-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Rajiv Bansal Joins Air-Taxi Startup Sarla Aviation in Strategic Advisory Role
Bansal brings over 30 years of experience in aviation policy and operations. His leadership is expected to support Sarla Aviation in shaping its certification processes, aligning with aviation authorities, and engaging with key stakeholders including airports and city administrations. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. Former Civil Aviation Secretary and ex-Managing Director of Air India, Rajiv Bansal, has joined air-taxi startup Sarla Aviation as a strategic advisor. Bansal will guide the company on regulatory policy, certification strategy, and scaling operations as it prepares for its next phase of growth. Sarla Aviation, which focuses on urban air mobility and next-generation aircraft systems, announced the appointment as a major step toward redefining mass transportation in India. With Bansal's extensive background in civil aviation, the company aims to strengthen its regulatory approach while transitioning from engineering development to real-world deployment and flight testing. "India is at a pivotal point in aviation, with the talent, ambition, and urgency to build sovereign aerospace capabilities," said Rajiv Bansal. "Sarla's bold, full-stack approach—designing, engineering, and building next-gen aircraft entirely in India—represents both national strength and tech leadership. I'm proud to support a team that's thinking long-term, building fearlessly, and setting a new benchmark for Indian innovation." Bansal brings over 30 years of experience in aviation policy and operations. His leadership is expected to support Sarla Aviation in shaping its certification processes, aligning with aviation authorities, and engaging with key stakeholders including airports and city administrations. Adrian Schmidt, Co-founder and CEO of Sarla Aviation, said, "It's an incredibly important step for Sarla to welcome Mr. Rajiv Bansal to our team and our mission. His experience will be instrumental in helping us mature our processes and strengthen our approach as we build India's first privately held full-stack aviation OEM." Sarla Aviation recently showcased its six-seater electric air taxi prototype, Shunya, at the Bharat Mobility Expo 2025 in Delhi. Earlier this year, the company secured over USD 12 million in funding from investors such as Accel, Nikhil Kamath, Sriharsha Majety, and Binny Bansal. Founded in 2023 and based in Bengaluru, Sarla Aviation aims to build safe, clean, and accessible air mobility solutions across India. Named after Sarla Thukral, the country's first woman pilot, the company plans to introduce flying taxis in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune, contributing to India's long-term vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Time of India
06-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Sarla Aviation appoints former civil aviation secretary Rajiv Bansal as Advisor
Advt Bengaluru-based air taxi startup Sarla Aviation on Wednesday announced the appointment of former civil aviation secretary Rajiv Bansal as its his new role, Bansal will lead the company with regulatory advisory and strategy development towards certification, the company who retired in August 2023 after a 35-year career in the civil services, has also served as Chairman and Managing Director of the erstwhile government-owned Air platform in January this year unveiled its prototype air taxi, Shunya, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo amid its plans to introduce electric flying taxis in Bangalore by this advisory role, Rajiv will guide Sarla on regulatory strategy, airworthiness roadmaps, and policy alignment, areas where his deep expertise and understanding are essential, Sarla Aviation insights will also be critical as the company scales operations, engages with airports and city governments, and navigates the complex pathways toward commercial deployment, it added."Bansal's experience and leadership at the Civil Aviation Ministry will be instrumental in helping us mature our processes, shape our certification strategy, and strengthen our approach as we build India's first privately held full-stack aviation OEM," said Adrian Schmidt, Co-Founder and CEO of Sarla company, he said, is entering this next phase of growth with great confidence and renewed a career spanning over three decades in aviation policy and operations , Bansal brings expertise to the platform at a critical juncture as it transitions from deep engineering to real-world deployment and flight testing, it in October 2023 by Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar, and Shivam Chauhan, Sarla Aviation's prototype Shunya is designed to accommodate up to six passengers and can carry a maximum load of 680 kg, making it the highest payload eVTOL (electric vertical Take-off and landing) in the market.
News18
06-08-2025
- Business
- News18
Sarla Aviation appoints former civil aviation secretary Rajiv Bansal as MD
Agency: PTI Mumbai, Aug 6 (PTI) Bengaluru-based air taxi startup Sarla Aviation on Wednesday announced the appointment of former civil aviation secretary Rajiv Bansal as its Managing Director. In his new role, Bansal will lead the company with regulatory advisory and strategy development towards certification, the company said. Bansal, who retired in August 2023 after a 35-year career in the civil services, has also served as Chairman and Managing Director of the erstwhile government-owned Air India. The platform in January this year unveiled its prototype air taxi, Shunya, at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo amid its plans to introduce electric flying taxis in Bangalore by 2028. In this advisory role, Rajiv will guide Sarla on regulatory strategy, airworthiness roadmaps, and policy alignment, areas where his deep expertise and understanding are essential, Sarla Aviation said. His insights will also be critical as the company scales operations, engages with airports and city governments, and navigates the complex pathways toward commercial deployment, it added. 'Bansal's experience and leadership at the Civil Aviation Ministry will be instrumental in helping us mature our processes, shape our certification strategy, and strengthen our approach as we build India's first privately held full-stack aviation OEM," said Adrian Schmidt, Co-Founder and CEO of Sarla Aviation. The company, he said, is entering this next phase of growth with great confidence and renewed ambition. With a career spanning over three decades in aviation policy and operations, Bansal brings expertise to the platform at a critical juncture as it transitions from deep engineering to real-world deployment and flight testing, it said. Founded in October 2023 by Schmidt, Rakesh Gaonkar, and Shivam Chauhan, Sarla Aviation's prototype Shunya is designed to accommodate up to six passengers and can carry a maximum load of 680 kg, making it the highest payload eVTOL (electric vertical Take-off and landing) in the market. PTI IAS RAM DR DR view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 10:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
A.P. will emerge as key aviation investment hub, says Minister
Aviation players, including Sarla Aviation, Golden Epaulettes Aviation Academy, and Hariban Aeronautics Pvt. Ltd., have expressed interest in setting up manufacturing and training facilities in Andhra Pradesh. Minister for Roads & Buildings, Infrastructure and Investments, B.C. Janardhan Reddy, after a meeting with these industrialists at the Secretariat, said that a favourable ecosystem in the State was attracting long-term and reliable investments. Sarla Aviation, a leader in EVTOL aircraft, has proposed establishing a production unit, while Golden Epaulettes plans to open a pilot training academy in the State. Hariban Aeronautics is keen to manufacture aviation and nautical equipment catering to defense and agriculture sectors, the Minister said. Additionally, CtrlS, a prominent data centre company, has shown intent to invest ₹500 crore in the State. Mr. Reddy emphasised that Andhra Pradesh is on track to become a global electric aircraft manufacturing hub. 'With improved infrastructure, policy support, and skilled youth, the State is regaining investors' confidence,' he said.
