Gandhinagar: The Gujarat govt embarked on an ambitious project to establish vertiports across different cities to facilitate air taxi services. The initiative follows the guidelines set by the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for promoting air taxi operations.
The state decided to form a multi-department committee, which will include representatives from civil aviation, revenue, urban development, and transport departments, to oversee the project implementation.
The vertiports will accommodate both vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft. These specialised facilities require specific infrastructure due to their unique operational requirements. The committee will assess existing aviation facilities, including heliports, airports, runways, and airstrips, for potential conversion into vertiports.
The govt plans to allow both private operators and corporate entities to utilise these facilities. It will conduct detailed technical and feasibility studies to evaluate demand patterns and optimise service utilisation. Special attention will be given to ensure accessibility for common citizens through affordable pricing structures. The govt further plans to incorporate these services into emergency response systems and other essential public services. The committee formed will study implementations of VTOL and STOL operations in other states and countries to adopt the best practices. The govt is also considering a dedicated regulatory agency to oversee these operations.
According to the state govt, authorities will work closely with various stakeholders to ensure the smooth implementation of the project. This includes coordination with local bodies, environmental agencies, and aviation experts to address all aspects of infrastructure development and operational safety.