Zomato Makes Surprise Entry into Aircraft Manufacturing Sector

The aerospace industry continues to experience strong and growing demand. In a surprising move, Sumato—a company primarily known for its delivery services—is now showing interest in the aviation sector. While the company itself isn’t directly entering aircraft manufacturing, it is making strategic investments in the field.

Sumato’s co-founder and CEO, Dipinder Goel, has invested $20 million in an aerospace startup focused on developing low-cost, short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft. This marks a significant step toward supporting innovative and accessible aviation solutions for the future.

LAT Aerospace is aiming to revolutionize regional air connectivity in India with a new line of low-cost, short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft. The initiative is particularly focused on improving accessibility in tier-2 and tier-3 cities, with Goa identified as one of the key operational zones. The company plans to develop 12- to 24-seater aircraft that can operate from compact airstrips, helping make air travel more affordable and efficient for underserved regions.

Dipinder Goel, co-founder of food delivery giant Zomato, is a non-executive co-founder of LAT Aerospace. The venture is led by former Zomato CEO Surabhi Das, who now heads operations at the aerospace start-up. Goel has personally invested $20 million in the company, which has already raised a total of $50 million in funding to challenge established players like Sun Aeronautical Ltd. and National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).

While Zomato as a company is not directly involved in aircraft manufacturing, its association with LAT Aerospace highlights the growing trend of tech entrepreneurs entering new, high-impact sectors. The idea for LAT Aerospace emerged from Goel and Das’s experience while building Zomato, where they frequently discussed the inefficiencies of regional air travel in India—namely, high costs, limited frequency, and poor accessibility outside major urban centers.

India has over 450 airstrips, yet fewer than 150 are currently in use for commercial aviation. This leaves a massive untapped opportunity for regional connectivity. State-run organizations like Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and NAL have struggled with delays and challenges in producing indigenous aircraft. For instance, the Saras aircraft remains in the prototype stage, with no clear timeline for its commercial rollout. Repeated delays in state-led programs have created a vacuum that private players like LAT Aerospace are now stepping in to fill.

With a practical, market-driven approach, LAT Aerospace could become a game-changer in India’s aviation sector—offering reliable, low-cost regional air services and bringing competitive pressure to government-backed aerospace projects that have yet to deliver.

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