Interview: The only way is up
Amit Dutta, Managing Director of Hunch Mobility, an urban air mobility platform based in India, tells AirMed&Rescue how electric vertical aircraft have the potential to save lives across the fast-growing Asian market
How is the company planning to expand its operations in the future?
We are aiming at a rapid pan-India expansion divided into phases over the next three years. This includes connecting additional routes as well as increasing the frequency of existing routes. We’re also ramping up several of our operations, such as our air medevac services, and increasing connections to more pilgrimage sites and leisure destinations, as domestic tourism is at an all-time high. Additionally, we are focusing on partnerships with hotels, operators, automobile brands and lifestyle brands to ensure an enhanced flier experience.
What makes India the perfect country in which to grow the company’s operations?
The Indian market offers significant untapped potential. Urban congestion costs India around US$22 billion annually, with cities like Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune ranking among the world’s most congested. Combined with the nation’s rapid economic growth – with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicting India to be the world’s third-largest economy by 2027/28 – the potential is vast. Furthermore, India’s status as the fourth-largest automobile sector indicates worse road congestion in the future, making it an ideal market for air mobility solutions.
When is the transition to electric air vehicles planned to take place?
We’ve signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with leading electric vertical aircraft (EVA) manufacturers such as Eve and Beta, and vertiport developers like Skyports. As soon as the necessary certifications for the aircraft, which have already completed successful trial flights, are obtained, along with the completion of infrastructure development, we believe we will be well placed to launch.
While at the moment the company is focused on passenger transportation, what do you think the other applications could be for urban air mobility (UAM) in the Indian subcontinent?
The need for air medical evacuations is critical, with a significant number of fatalities occurring due to traffic and lack of timely medical aid on the roads. The requirement for timely medical aid in remote destinations and areas lacking last-mile connectivity is particularly paramount. Helicopters and EVAs in the future have the potential to save lives by reaching patients promptly.
How can UAMs assist in the provision of emergency healthcare in India?
UAMs can play a crucial role in providing emergency healthcare in India by addressing the challenge of timely medical intervention, especially in the critical first 60 minutes after an accident, known as the ‘golden hour’. Due to accessibility issues and congestion on roads, reaching patients within this window is often challenging. Short-haul air mobility offers a solution by enabling prompt air medevac evacuations, potentially saving lives. As 23% of trauma cases are linked to transport accidents, leveraging UAMs for medical emergencies is imperative. Helicopters and future EVAs hold promise in reaching patients swiftly, particularly in remote areas and locations lacking last-mile connectivity, thus ensuring timely medical aid and reducing fatalities.
How important are partnerships in the nascent UAM market in India to propel further growth and development?
Partnerships are pivotal for us in the nascent UAM market in India. Collaborations with airlines to facilitate customer acquisition and provide last-mile connectivity to their fliers is key. Partnering with brands across various sectors, including luxury, lifestyle, hospitality and automobile enhances the customer experience both on the ground and in the air. Engaging with real estate developers and state development corporations is crucial to be able to utilize their infrastructure for vertiports, supporting further growth and development.
We have signed MoUs with leading EVA manufacturers and infrastructure developers. We believe that collaborating with them will assist with the development of an urban air traffic management (UATM) system, with vehicle and vertiport design, with securing operation certificates and with autonomous operation development.
What are the limiting factors affecting growth potential in the market (for example, regulatory controls over the introduction of UAMs)?
There are several nuances to the market which we keep in mind. Obtaining approvals from authorities is a critical milestone for growth, and time must be factored in to complete this. Future infrastructure development includes the establishment of vertiports and battery-charging facilities for electric craft, which requires significant investment and time.
Obtaining approvals from authorities is a critical milestone for growth, and time must be factored in to complete this
Developing technologies for air traffic management systems to handle the complexity of various aircraft types, including drones and EVAs, will be essential. New technologies, particularly electric craft, require thorough validation for safety and regulatory compliance, and overhauling current technologies to accommodate the increased diversity of aircraft types, including drones, planes and EVAs, is a complex task.
What are your hopes for the future of UAM applications around the world?
With technology evolving to meet emerging needs, we are confident in the potential of UAM applications to address mobility issues effectively. Major markets like India, China and countries across the Asia-Pacific region will play a significant role in driving the adoption and growth of UAM applications across the globe, given their population and congestion issues.