In a landmark move towards revolutionizing urban air mobility, the Andhra Pradesh government has partnered with Bengaluru-based Sarla Aviation to inaugurate India’s largest electric air taxi manufacturing hub — the “Sky Factory” — in Anantapur. With a massive investment of ₹1,300 crore, this ambitious project represents a bold step into the futuristic world of electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft production, creating high-tech jobs and advancing India’s aerospace capabilities.
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What is the Sky Factory?
The Sky Factory is planned as a sprawling 500-acre aerospace giga campus designed to manufacture, test, certify, and maintain eVTOL aircraft, which are electric flying taxis capable of vertical takeoff and landing without runways. The project will be developed in phases, with Phase 1 consisting of a 150-acre facility equipped with state-of-the-art research laboratories, advanced composite manufacturing lines, production units, and a dedicated two-kilometer runway for DGCA-certified flight testing. This site is located at Thimmasamudram village, Kalyandurg Mandal in Anantapur district.
The facility will be modeled on established global hubs like California and Munich, aiming to produce up to 1,000 aircraft annually. The manufacturing ecosystem will include:
- Composite labs,
- Powertrain manufacturing,
- Wire harness assembly,
- Landing gear systems,
- Flight-control computer integration,
- The largest wind tunnel in India,
- Pilot training and certification centers,
- Dedicated MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) units.
Strategic Importance of Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh is emerging as a dynamic aviation and technology hub due to its strategic location, infrastructure development goals, and government incentives. The partnership with Sarla Aviation aligns with the state’s vision of transforming the Rayalaseema region and Anantapur into cutting-edge aerospace manufacturing centers.
Additionally, the state government is collaborating with global conglomerates such as Carbonatik LLC to further invest in waterways, port development, and Maintenance Repair Organization (MRO) facilities to complement the aviation industry growth.
Economic and Technological Impact
This giga campus is expected to:
- Create thousands of high-skilled jobs in manufacturing, research, and operations,
- Forge opportunities for MSMEs to participate in the aerospace value chain,
- Reduce India’s reliance on imported aircraft components,
- Position India as a leader in sustainable urban air mobility,
- Lay the foundation for South India’s commercial air taxi services by 2029.
Crash-testing, certification, and pilot training are being integrated into the campus, ensuring all aspects of eVTOL operational readiness are addressed locally for the first time.
Quick Snapshot of Sky Factory
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Thimmasamudram, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh |
| Investment | ₹1,300 crore initial, with planned future expansions |
| Area | 500 acres (Phase 1: 150 acres developed) |
| Annual Production Capacity | Up to 1,000 eVTOL aircraft |
| Facilities | R&D labs, composite manufacturing, 2 km runway, MRO units |
| Timeline | Flight testing starts 2027, commercial ops by 2029 |
FAQs
Q1: What exactly is an eVTOL aircraft and why is Andhra Pradesh investing in it?
eVTOL aircraft are electric air taxis with vertical takeoff and landing capability, offering faster, cleaner, and more flexible urban transportation. Andhra Pradesh aims to become a global leader in next-generation aviation technologies with this investment, boosting regional employment and tech growth.