Urban-Air Port and Nalwa Aero have partnered to develop scalable AAM infrastructure in India, advancing the country’s eVTOL market with integrated aircraft and vertiport solutions
Story and Image Credit Joe Macey
aaminternational.com
Urban-Air Port, a global leader in AAM infrastructure, and Nalwa Aero, India’s pioneering eVTOL developer, have partnered to enter the Indian market, marking Urban-Air Port’s first collaboration with an Indian eVTOL OEM.
This strategic, long-term alliance aims to develop purpose-built, scalable, and multi-modal infrastructure to support India’s rapidly expanding aviation market, aligning with government policies and the growing demand for air travel.
This first-of-its-kind agreement establishes Nalwa Aero as one of Urban-Air Port’s preferred VTOL Partners in India, while Urban-Air Port becomes Nalwa Aero’s preferred Infrastructure Partner. Together, the companies will accelerate the development of India’s AAM ecosystem, unlocking in-line-of-sight business opportunities by combining Nalwa Aero’s innovative NALWA 5X eVTOL aircraft with Urban-Air Port’s cutting-edge vertiport infrastructure.
In a joint statement, Ricky Sandhu and Kuljeet Singh Sandhu, said, “We are proud to announce this groundbreaking partnership, uniting Nalwa Aero’s revolutionary NALWA 5X eVTOL with Urban-Air Port’s proven, state-of-the-art vertiport infrastructure. Together, we are delivering a flexible, sustainable, and turnkey ‘eVTOL plus infrastructure’ solution that will propel India’s clean, future-ready Urban Air Mobility ecosystem.”
Key Objectives of the Partnership
- Market Expansion: The collaboration will capitalize on India’s burgeoning aviation sector, where air travel penetration is currently low (10-15% of the population fly annually). With India’s aviation market projected to grow to 480 million passengers by 2036 and an estimated market value of $25 – $40 billion by 2030-2033, the partnership aligns with initiatives like the government’s UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) program and plans for helipads along highways.
- Government Collaboration: The partners will pursue opportunities under the Indian government’s plan to develop 1,000 helipads and drone zones every 50km along national highways, positioning Nalwa Aero and Urban-Air Port as key contributors to India’s AAM ambitions.
- Comprehensive AAM Solutions: The companies will develop coordinated products, designs, and services across the AAM value chain, including cargo, medical, passenger, and defense applications. A flagship initiative includes creating a physical showcase featuring Urban-Air Port’s Air-One vertiport integrated with the NALWA 5X eVTOL.
- Mutual Commitment: Urban-Air Port will offer Nalwa Aero preferential rights, for AAM infrastructure development programs in India, while Nalwa Aero will prioritize deploying its eVTOLs on Urban-Air Port’s platforms. Similarly, Nalwa Aero will offer Urban-Air Port first notice on vertiport-related programs.
Andrea Wu, CEO of Urban-Air Port, added, “India’s aviation market, the third-largest globally, is poised for exponential growth, driven by a burgeoning middle class, rising disposable incomes, and government initiatives like UDAN. Handling 200 million passengers annually yet representing only 4% of global air traffic, India has immense potential to leapfrog other nations by integrating AAM into its infrastructure rollout. This partnership positions us to lead that transformation.”
Phased Approach to Market Entry
Phase 1: Development of Indian Market Capabilities (2025)
- Develop tailored market insights for AAM infrastructure, focusing on operational requirements for aerial cargo, medical, and passenger transport in urban and regional settings, aligned with government policies.
- Advance vehicle and infrastructure R&D, with Nalwa Aero designing the NALWA 5X eVTOL and Urban-Air Port developing customized & use-case-specific vertiports.
- Engage private industries, local governments, and regulatory authorities to define infrastructure requirements, including vertiport design, network integration, and charging solutions.
- Develop a regulatory engagement strategy to enable certified operations for cargo and passenger services.
- Create a digital concept design for a standardized, Nalwa-operated Urban-Air Port “showcase” Air-One vertiport.
Phase 2: Demonstration (2026)
- Conduct technology, regulatory, and business model de-risking activities, including ground and flight demonstrations to validate infrastructure and airspace management requirements.
- Align with regulatory authorities to meet certification standards for products, production processes, and operations.
- Develop operating safety standards to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of all stakeholders.
Phase 3: Deployment (2026 and Beyond)
- Deliver a fully integrated AAM infrastructure solution and service model, compliant with all legal and regulatory requirements, to enable scalable, certified operations for cargo, medical, passenger, and defense applications.
Kuljeet Singh Sandhu, CEO of Nalwa Aero, added, “At Nalwa Aero, we view eVTOLs as the natural evolution of air travel—cleaner, safer, and smarter mobility for all. Our mission is to make Advanced Air Mobility affordable and accessible to every Indian. Partnering with Urban-Air Port, a global leader in AAM infrastructure since 2017, enables us to scale our business with a full-stack solution of eVTOL aircraft and landing infrastructure, tailored to the needs of the government, our clients, and the Indian market.”
Ricky Sandhu, Founder and Executive Chairman of Urban-Air Port, added, “It is a great privilege to enter India’s dynamic aviation market, home to the world’s fastest-growing airline, IndiGo. We are thrilled to partner with Kuljeet and the Nalwa Aero team, whose leadership in AAM, exemplified by their Design Organization Approval from the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), aligns perfectly with our pioneering approach. By combining Nalwa Aero’s deep market connections with Urban-Air Port’s vertiport expertise, we are well-positioned to support the Government of India’s ambitious AAM vision.”
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