Zomato’s Deepinder Goyal Eyeing Regional Air Travel Sector with ‘Buses in the Sky’: Report
In a surprising move, Zomato co-founder Deepinder Goyal is reportedly eyeing the regional air travel industry in India. According to a report by PTI, citing a post by LAT Aerospace co-founder Surobhi Das, Goyal is planning to revolutionize regional air travel by introducing a new concept – “buses in the sky”.
The idea is to create compact air stops, no bigger than parking lots, where aircraft can take off and land, making regional air travel more accessible and efficient. Das, in her post, mentioned that Goyal and she had been discussing the challenges facing regional air travel, and they kept coming back to the same question: why is regional air travel still so broken?
The answer, according to Das, lies in the concept of “buses in the sky”. LAT Aerospace, a startup founded by Das and others, is working on developing a new type of aircraft that can take off and land in these compact air stops. The aircraft will be designed to operate in a hub-and-spoke model, with multiple flights connecting smaller towns and cities to a central hub.
This innovative approach aims to address the issues plaguing the regional air travel sector, such as high operating costs, limited connectivity, and inadequate infrastructure. By reducing the size of the air stops and the aircraft, LAT Aerospace hopes to make regional air travel more affordable and convenient for passengers.
The concept is not entirely new, as there have been attempts in the past to develop small, efficient aircraft for regional air travel. However, LAT Aerospace’s approach seems to be more comprehensive, with a focus on creating a seamless travel experience for passengers.
The fact that Deepinder Goyal, co-founder of Zomato, is involved in this venture is significant. Goyal has a proven track record of disrupting traditional industries, and his involvement in LAT Aerospace could bring a fresh perspective to the regional air travel sector. Zomato, which started as a food delivery platform, has expanded into other areas such as food ordering and dining experiences. Its entry into the aviation sector could potentially disrupt the traditional airline business model.
The regional air travel sector in India is ripe for disruption, with limited connectivity and high fares being the norm. According to a report by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), India has one of the lowest air travel penetration rates in the world, with only about 0.6% of the population holding a valid air travel ticket.
LAT Aerospace’s “buses in the sky” concept has the potential to change this scenario by making regional air travel more accessible and affordable for the masses. With Deepinder Goyal on board, the startup could potentially leverage Zomato’s expertise in food delivery and logistics to optimize its operations and reduce costs.
While the concept is still in its infancy, it has the potential to revolutionize the regional air travel sector in India. With the government’s support and the growing demand for air travel, LAT Aerospace’s “buses in the sky” could become a reality, making air travel more accessible and convenient for millions of Indians.
