# India - A key Global Growth Market for Advanced Air Mobility

A joint paper by the World Economic Forum and Deloitte outlines how India can deploy Advanced Air Mobility to strengthen regional connectivity, accelerate innovation and unlock inclusive economic growth.

[Link to Report](https://reports.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Activating_Advanced_Air_Mobility_in_India_A_10-Step_Strategy_2026.pdf)


## Mumbai,  24 February 2026 – The World Economic Forum, in collaboration with Deloitte, today released a new community paper, Activating Advanced Air Mobility in India: A 10-Step Strategy, outlining a practical roadmap to support the responsible development of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) in India.

The report presents an implementation-focused framework to unlock the potential of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and related low-altitude technologies. It examines how AAM could complement existing transport systems, enhance regional connectivity, reduce congestion and contribute to sustainable economic growth.“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.”—  Vignesh Santhanam, India Lead, Aerospace and DronesIndia’s Expanding Aviation LandscapeIndia is currently the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market and is expected to see continued investment in aviation infrastructure, including airport expansion and fleet growth in the coming years. The report positions AAM as a potential next phase in India’s aviation development, building on initiatives such as the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN) and expanding access to underserved areas.With more than 300 companies active across the low-altitude aviation value chain, including several domestic eVTOL manufacturers, India has an opportunity to strengthen its capabilities in AAM innovation, manufacturing and operations.A 10-Step Activation BlueprintThe paper outlines a structured 10-step strategy to guide AAM deployment in India. It begins with defining a clear regional vision and benchmarking international practices, and advances through regulatory alignment, data strategy development, sandbox testing and phased market activation.A central recommendation is the use of regulatory sandboxes—controlled environments to test technologies, operational models and policy frameworks before wider commercialization.The report identifies five strategic pillars to anchor India’s AAM development:India-focused use cases aligned with socio-economic prioritiesInfrastructure integration with existing multimodal transport systemsInnovation-driven domestic manufacturing and R&DSafe, inclusive and transparent airspace governanceLeadership in responsible and sustainable deploymentFrom Pilot Projects to CommercializationTo support the transition from demonstration to scale, the paper highlights five priority actions:Establish a comprehensive and adaptive regulatory frameworkDevelop integrated vertiport and supporting infrastructureBuild public awareness and community acceptanceDemonstrate economic viability and affordabilityStrengthen skills development and ecosystem capacityThe roadmap proposes a three-phase approach—pilot trials, operational evaluation and commercialization—supported by measurable indicators such as safety performance, economic outcomes and public sentiment.This paper is a call to action for India’s Advanced Air Mobility future. By operationalizing AAM sandboxes, aligning policy, regulatory frameworks and engaging industry and government stakeholders, we can accelerate the deployment of eVTOL technologies and build an integrated ecosystem. This is a pivotal moment to shape inclusive, sustainable and tech-driven air mobility solutions that serve both urban and regional India. —  Sudeepta Veerapaneni, Chief Innovation Officer, Partner, Technology and Transformation, Deloitte IndiaA Strategic Inflection PointThe report concludes that India has the policy momentum, market scale and innovation ecosystem to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of sustainable air mobility. Through coordinated public-private collaboration and international engagement, India could contribute to emerging global standards while addressing domestic connectivity needs.Activating Advanced Air Mobility in India: A 10-Step Strategy was developed through the World Economic Forum’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) India in collaboration with Deloitte.