Executive summary Advanced and short-haul air mobility for all (ASHA) is set to transform urban and regional transport. Currently, India ranks third globally in domestic passenger traffic. This concept of operations (CONOPS) report outlines key elements of the advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystem critical to the sector’s success in India. The report aims to inform local decision-makers who may lack subject matter expertise and familiarity with aviation terminology. It serves as a blueprint for the phased adoption and integration of AAM across the country, targeting critical areas such as airspace management, infrastructure development, regulatory frameworks and community engagement. The report focuses on the economic impact that should be considered when planning and designing these vehicles for various use cases. AAM provides innovative solutions to alleviate urban congestion, improve access to remote regions and identify new economic opportunities. Through AAM, India can witness a new economic opportunity by relieving urban transport distress and access to markets for regional India. This will improve access to jobs, healthcare and economic clusters and contribute to India’s broader development goals. The report outlines India’s AAM roadmap, focusing on the need for integrated vertiport networks, a robust regulatory ecosystem and advanced technologies to ensure safe, sustainable and scalable air mobility solutions. Key strategic actions include: –Establishing urban and rural vertiports, with a priority on safety, accessibility and transport needs –Integrating AAM into India’s multimodal transport system, ensuring seamless interaction with existing infrastructure like airports and helipads, as well as with road and rail infrastructure –Addressing key challenges such as noise mitigation, energy demands and community acceptance –Developing a replicable framework that supports India’s formally issued vertiport requirements3 ensuring public safety while supporting the growth of this emerging sector Ultimately, AAM is not just a transport solution but a powerful tool for social inclusion and economic growth. As India accelerates towards becoming a global leader in AAM, this CONOPS report provides the roadmap to ensure its safe, inclusive and equitable adoption. To validate this report, it is imperative that a sandbox exercise follows to validate the concepts presented here. This report serves as a primer for India’s AAM sector, touching upon crucial ecosystem elements to unlock the sector’s potential. Skyways to the Future: Operational Concepts for Advanced Air Mobility in India 5

Skyways to the Future 2024