Imagine stepping onto a small, compact airstrip in the middle of a bustling city, boarding a sleek, low-cost aircraft, and reaching a nearby town in a fraction of the time it takes by road.

That’s the vision behind LAT Aerospace, a newly launched aviation startup founded by Surobhi Das, former Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Zomato, with Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal as a key investor and mentor.

The startup, currently operating in stealth mode, is focused on building short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft to revolutionize regional air connectivity.

With a mission to make air travel effortless, affordable, and accessible, LAT Aerospace aims to design 12- to 24-seater aircraft capable of taking off and landing in ultra-compact “air-stops” as small as a parking lot—eliminating the need for large airport infrastructure.

Goyal’s Investment & Vision for LAT Aerospace

Deepinder Goyal has invested $20 million (around INR 174 crore) in the venture and will serve in a non-executive role, primarily as an investor and mentor. According to reports, LAT Aerospace is seeking to raise $50 million (around INR 436 crore) in seed funding to accelerate its development.

Surobhi Das, in a LinkedIn post, shared insights into the startup’s origins, stating that she and Goyal often discussed the need for seamless regional aviation while traveling extensively for Zomato. This shared vision led to the creation of LAT Aerospace.

Revolutionizing Regional Air Travel

LAT Aerospace plans to develop low-cost aircraft with a range of up to 1,500 km, designed to link major cities with smaller towns without the hassles of traditional air travel—no baggage belts, no security bottlenecks, and no expensive airport infrastructure.

“We’re rethinking the way we fly,” Das wrote. “Our aircraft will take off and land from ultra-compact air-stops, seamlessly connecting cities and towns like never before.”

Building a World-Class Aerospace Team

The startup is headquartered in Delhi NCR and is actively assembling a team of experts across various disciplines, including aircraft design, aerodynamics, materials & composites, hybrid propulsion systems, and turbo-machinery.

With LAT Aerospace, Das and Goyal are not just investing in a new business—they are working to redefine regional aviation in India and beyond. If successful, this startup could transform short-haul air travel, making it as simple and accessible as booking a cab.