A confluence of policy promise and private ambition is turning urban air mobility from a concept into a boardroom-ready plan.

Urban Air Mobility: Andhra’s Flying Cars Policy Gains Traction

In Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s ambition to export flying cars and drone taxis within two years has drawn a positive response from industry players such as JK Maini Global Aerospace and the Raymond Group’s Maini portfolio. The plan envisions a new era where aerospace manufacturing and advanced mobility converge, turning the state into a potential hub for high-tech urban flight. The momentum comes as policymakers push for a dedicated drone manufacturing framework and related incentives to accelerate product development and local supply chains.

Gautam Maini, managing director of JK Maini Global Aerospace and a key figure in the Raymond Group aerospace channel, told The Hindu that the company already manufactures critical engineering and aerospace components for original equipment manufacturers and sees clear potential to expand into flying car production. He stressed that JK Maini is manufacturing the components needed for flying cars and is awaiting a supportive policy from both state and central governments to enable a broader manufacturing plan. This aligns with the broader industry sentiment that Andhra Pradesh could become a strategic site for advanced aerospace activity.

According to The Hindu, the state’s drive received a concrete boost when the Raymond Group and its subsidiaries signed an MoU with the Andhra Pradesh government to establish an Aerospace Park and manufacturing facility in Anantapur with an estimated investment of over ₹900 crore. The agreement signals a serious commitment to scale up local production capabilities and create jobs in the high-value aerospace ecosystem. The plan dovetails with a broader policy push that aims to foster research and development, high-skilled jobs, and export-oriented manufacturing in the sector.

Beyond facilities, the state is reportedly shaping a policy framework for drone manufacturing and has proposed a 300-acre drone city in Orvakallu, Kurnool, to house R&D and production activity. Authorities are also offering incentives such as capital subsidies and SGST waivers to lure startups and investors into the space. These moves are designed to create a functioning ecosystem that can support not only prototypes but also scalable commercial deployments for urban mobility services.

On the startup front, Magnum Wings, an AP-based drone taxi developer, has recently tested a two-seater prototype and is progressing toward commercial models. Founder Chava Abhiram said the electric two-seater is designed for urban traffic and can fly at about 100 km/h with a range of roughly 40 km; it can operate up to 1,000 feet in altitude. The ongoing work, coupled with policy clarity and investment, points toward a concerted effort to triple prototype capacity and push toward broader adoption in the near term.

What this means for the market is clear: policymakers are aligning incentives, industry players are ready to scale manufacturing, and private capital is starting to view urban air mobility as a tangible export opportunity rather than a distant dream. For operators and regulators, the challenge will be to balance safety, airspace integration, and community impact while accelerating product development and certification timelines. The Hindu’s reporting on the summit and MoU events underscores how quickly Andhra Pradesh is moving from concept to concrete action. For defense planners and urban planners alike, the message is unmistakable: urban air mobility is entering the policy mainstream and could reshape regional aviation ecosystems sooner than expected.

Policy implications and industry outlook

The push in Andhra Pradesh mirrors global interest in urban air mobility, where regulatory clarity and targeted incentives often determine whether pilots turn into scalable businesses. In India, this could recalibrate supply chains: more local aerospace component manufacturing, more high-skill jobs, and potentially new export channels. Observers will watch closely how the state coordinates with central authorities on safety standards, air traffic management, and certification as the sector moves from prototyping to pilot services.

For readers and practitioners, the core takeaway is momentum. Public resources and private investment are aligning around a shared vision of flying cars and drone taxis as a legitimate, regulated mode of urban transport. If Andhra Pradesh can maintain policy continuity and deliver on incentives, its aerospace corridor could become a blueprint for other states seeking to unlock urban air mobility’s potential. This is a pivotal moment for the industry, signaling that what once lived as a concept in trade shows is starting to land in real-world production lines.

Conclusion