The partnership will introduce electric air ambulances and medical delivery drones to improve emergency care and healthcare access across India.
Apollo Hospitals has partnered with Chennai-based aerospace startup The ePlane Company to explore the use of electric air ambulances and medical delivery drones, marking a significant step towards transforming emergency healthcare in India.
The collaboration aims to reduce patient transfer times, improve access to specialist treatment, and strengthen emergency medical services by combining electric aviation with Apollo’s nationwide healthcare network.
Partnership Announced at Farnborough Airshow
The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Chennai, with the partnership officially announced at the Farnborough International Airshow in the UK on 23 July.
Under the agreement, Apollo Hospitals and ePlane will study how electric aircraft and drones can complement traditional road ambulances, particularly in congested cities and remote regions where delays often affect patient outcomes.
The initiative also aligns with growing interest in electric aviation as a faster and more sustainable transport solution.
Focus on the Critical ‘Golden Hour’
The proposed system is designed to improve emergency response during the first hour following a serious accident or medical emergency, often referred to as the “golden hour.”
According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, 172,890 people lost their lives in road accidents across India in 2023, highlighting the importance of rapid access to emergency medical care.
Traffic congestion and long travel distances frequently delay treatment, especially for patients requiring specialist hospitals.
Apollo and ePlane believe electric air ambulances could help bridge that gap.
How the Electric Air Ambulances Will Work
As part of the collaboration, Apollo Hospitals will evaluate the use of ePlane’s e200X electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for several critical healthcare services.
Potential applications include inter-hospital patient transfers, trauma response, cardiac emergencies, stroke care and organ transportation.
According to ePlane, the aircraft could complete certain journeys up to seven times faster than road transport, while operating at a lower cost than conventional helicopter ambulances.
The e200X is currently under development and undergoing type certification with India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) before commercial operations can begin.
Medical Delivery Drones Also Under Review
The partnership extends beyond passenger transport.
Apollo and ePlane will also assess the use of medical delivery drones developed by Amber Wings, a subsidiary of The ePlane Company.
The drones are designed to transport essential medical supplies between healthcare facilities, including blood products, donor organs, vaccines, medicines and diagnostic samples.
Using drones for time-sensitive deliveries could improve efficiency across Apollo’s extensive healthcare network, particularly in areas where road transport is slow or unreliable.
Apollo May Invest in ePlane
The agreement also opens the door for a potential strategic investment by Apollo Hospitals in The ePlane Company.
In addition, Apollo has indicated that it may consider placing future orders for e200X aircraft and Amber Wings drones.
However, neither company has disclosed the number of aircraft involved, financial terms, or a timeline for commercial deployment.
Any investment or procurement will depend on further negotiations and regulatory approvals.
Regulatory Approval Still Required
Before commercial services can begin, the project will require certification from the DGCA and coordination with other government authorities.
The companies will also need supporting infrastructure, including designated take-off and landing locations, charging facilities and operational guidelines for electric aircraft and drones.
Commercial rollout will ultimately depend on regulatory clearance and operational readiness.
Leadership Views
Apollo Hospitals Group Chairman Dr Prathap C. Reddy said the partnership reflects the healthcare group’s commitment to improving access to emergency care across India.
“India loses far too many lives simply because help cannot arrive in time. I have long believed that access, along with deep clinical expertise, is what saves lives.”
The ePlane Company’s Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Satya Chakravarthy, said electric aviation has the potential to significantly reduce emergency response times.
“Every minute matters when someone’s life is on the line. Working with Apollo Hospitals allows us to explore how our electric aircraft and drones can help close the gap between accident and treatment.”
About The ePlane Company
Founded in 2019, The ePlane Company, officially registered as Ubifly Technologies Private Limited, was incubated at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras).
The company develops electric aircraft for passenger transport, medical services,s and cargo operations from its facility at the IIT Madras Thaiyur campus near Chennai.
Outlook
The Apollo Hospitals and ePlane partnership highlights India’s growing interest in combining healthcare with advanced aviation technology.
If regulatory approvals are secured and the technology proves commercially viable, electric air ambulances and medical drones could significantly improve emergency response, organ transport and access to specialist care, particularly for patients in remote and underserved parts of the country.
