LAT Aerospace, founded in early 2025 by Deepinder Goyal (Zomato co-founder) and Surobhi Das (ex‑COO of Zomato), is on a mission to transform regional air travel in India. The Bangalore‑based startup is developing 12–24‑seater short take‑off and landing (STOL) aircraft designed to operate from compact “air-stops” rather than traditional airports. By leveraging India’s underutilised aviation infrastructure, more than 450 airstrips, with only ~150 serving commercial flights, it aims to connect underserved Tier‑2 and Tier‑3 cities with affordable, high-frequency air travel.
Vision: “Buses in the Sky”
LAT Aerospace positions its aircraft as “buses in the sky”, simple, frequent, and low-cost flights that make flying as accessible as taking a bus. The startup plans to use air‑stops no larger than a parking lot, significantly reducing passenger hassles like long queues, security screenings, and extended travel to metro airports.
Indigenous Gas Turbine Engine Development
One of LAT’s boldest innovations is its commitment to building a Made‑in‑India gas turbine engine from scratch. Deepinder Goyal has invested $20 million and helped secure a total of $50 million in seed funding toward developing lightweight, efficient, flight‑ready engines targeted for STOL aircraft, UAVs, and more. The company has established a dedicated propulsion research centre in Bengaluru, complete with labs for turbomachinery, combustion systems, thermal systems, and materials testing.
Engineer‑Led R&D: A Culture of Speed
LAT Aerospace emphasises an engineer‑led culture with minimal bureaucracy. As Goyal put it: “No waiting for approvals from business people. No chasing slides or meetings… Just hands‑on problem solving, bench tests, and building hardware from scratch”. Surobhi Das, overseeing operations as CEO, complements Goyal’s strategic mentorship with her deep experience scaling tech businesses.
Hiring for Impact
To support its ambitious objectives, LAT is looking for engineers. They call for knowledge of materials science, rotors, turbine systems, control systems, and aerodynamics. To join their innovative team, the startup is mainly seeking candidates with experience building turbines, rotors, or propulsion systems.
Future Outlook & Industry Disruption
With its unique focus on hybrid-electric STOL aircraft, LAT hopes to compete with established players like ATR or Bombardier and offer a locally built alternative to HAL/NAL’s planned regional transport aircraft programs. If successful, LAT could democratize aviation access for millions, reduce travel time in remote regions, and supercharge India’s quest for aerospace self-reliance.
LAT Aerospace is charting a bold path: making aviation more inclusive, affordable, and homegrown. By blending deep‑tech innovation with a people‑first vision, it hopes to reshape how India flies.
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