Manipal Hospitals, Sarla Aviation, and Aeromed Partner to Explore eVTOL Air Ambulances

BENGALURU — In an effort to address emergency medical transportation challenges in India, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sarla Aviation and Aeromed International Rescue Services. Signed on August 7, 2026, the partnership aims to explore the development of next-generation air ambulance services using electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

The initiative brings together the core competencies of each organization. Sarla Aviation provides the eVTOL technology, specifically its Shunya aircraft, while Manipal Hospitals contributes its clinical expertise and hospital network. Aeromed International Rescue Services adds its operational experience in medical evacuation and air ambulance services.

The primary objective of the collaboration is to build a seamless transport system capable of moving patients directly between locations and appropriate medical facilities, bypassing road congestion and long-distance travel delays. The partnership will initially focus on emergency transfers for critical cases such as trauma, heart attacks, strokes, newborns requiring specialized care, and organ transplantation.

As part of the agreement, the teams will jointly design the medical cabin and integrate essential medical equipment into Sarla Aviation's Shunya eVTOL aircraft, maintaining a focus on patient safety and comfort. Additionally, the partners will develop standard operating procedures for transferring patients between ground ambulances, the aircraft, and hospitals. The framework will also cover training programs, insurance protocols, safety standards, and research into patient outcomes.

Commenting on the broader context of urban transport and infrastructure, Shri. Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Minister of Civil Aviation of India, noted the growing need for new technologies to manage urbanization and population growth, stating that seamless connectivity from airports to doorsteps will be instrumental.

Dr. H. Sudarshan Ballal, Chairman of Manipal Hospitals, emphasized the healthcare provider's focus on clinical innovation. He stated that integrating advanced aviation technology with medical expertise could transform emergency and inter-hospital patient transfers, helping to establish a safe, clinically robust, and scalable model for next-generation air ambulance services in India.

"This tripartite partnership highlights how traditional healthcare providers are proactively collaborating with deep-tech startups and specialized service providers to solve critical infrastructure bottlenecks. Integrating eVTOL technology into emergency medical transport has the potential to drastically reduce transit times for critical care and organ transplantation. However, the success of this model will ultimately depend on regulatory approvals, robust safety frameworks, and the seamless integration of aviation logistics with clinical workflows." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes