India’s Aerospace Startup Boom: Innovation, Challenges and What Lies Ahead

India’s aerospace sector is entering a new era, with startups such as Sarla Aviation, The ePlane Company and Zephyra Dynamics developing aircraft for urban mobility, regional transport and cargo. But how close are these innovations to commercial operations? The Times of India’s Chethan Kumar explains the opportunities driving the sector, the challenges of certification, funding and scaling, and the importance of building a robust domestic supply chain. From electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft to amphibious planes, India’s aerospace sector faces a crucial question: can it build a self-reliant ecosystem or will it continue to depend on foreign technology for critical components such as engines, avionics and electronics? The journey ahead is promising, but demanding.