By Abhay Ray 
Introduction
In a bold new chapter beyond food delivery, Zomato co-founder Deepinder Goyal is setting his sights on the aviation industry. In what could redefine regional air travel in India, Goyal is now backing a new aviation startup – LAT Aerospace – that promises to make air travel more accessible and affordable for underserved regions across the country.
About LAT Aerospace
LAT Aerospace is an unfunded company based in Delhi (India), founded in 2025 by Richard Mahn and Surobhi Das. It operates as a Developer of a short take-off and landing aircraft network. LAT Aerospace has not raised any funding yet. The company has 6 active competitors, including 2 that are funded. Its top competitors include companies like Hybrid Air Vehicles, Skycom and LTA.
Developer of a short take-off and landing aircraft network. This network utilizes small, efficient aircraft for high-frequency, low-cost, medium-haul flights. The design prioritizes affordability and future autonomy, enabling access to underserved communities. The system uses compact air-stops, minimizing infrastructure needs and streamlining the passenger experience. This approach aims to revolutionize regional air travel by providing convenient, on-demand flights.
A Response to India’s Broken Regional Air Travel Tier2Cities
In a LinkedIn post, LAT Aerospace co-founder Surobhi Das explained the motivation behind the venture: “While building Zomato and flying across India, Deepinder and I kept circling back to the same question: Why is regional air travel still so broken: expensive, infrequent, and mostly out of reach unless you live in a metro?”
The startup has already raised $50 million in funding, with $20 million invested by Goyal himself, according to news reports. While Goyal has a proven record of building new market segments, the aviation space presents an entirely different challenge.
Who is Surobhi Das
Surobhi is the former COO of Zomato and had been one of the key employees involved in the growth of the company. She worked with Zomato for over 12 years. Surobhi left the firm in November 2023 to take a full-time parenting break. Before joining Zomato, she worked at Bain Consulting as Senior Associate Consultant. Now, she is building LAT Aerospace. She holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi. She also pursued an MBA degree from IIM Ahmedabad.
Bringing “Buses in the Sky” to Smaller Cities
Das pointed out that only about 150 of India’s 450+ airstrips are in commercial use, meaning nearly two-thirds of the country’s aviation infrastructure is being wasted. “Meanwhile, millions in Tier-II and Tier-III cities spend hours, sometimes days, travelling by road or rail,” she added.
LAT Aerospace plans to deploy 12–24 seater STOL (short take-off and landing) aircraft that will operate from ultra-compact “air-stops” spaces as small as a parking lot situated closer to where people actually live. Das called this concept “buses in the sky,” aimed at providing fast, affordable air travel to overlooked regions. The company is now hiring aerospace engineers, systems designers, and aviation enthusiasts to build its core team. As per Tracxn data, Richard Mahn serves as the CEO of LAT Aerospace, while Das remains a co-founder.
Eternal Share Price Performance
As of 30 June 2025, 11:05 AM, Eternal (Zomato) share price was trading at ₹263.25 per share, a surge of 0.53%. Over the past month, the stock has surged by 8.74%.
Conclusion
LAT Aerospace, co-founded by former Zomato leaders Surobhi Das and Richard Mahn, with significant backing from Deepinder Goyal, aims to transform regional air travel in India. By leveraging STOL aircraft and compact air-stops, the startup seeks to connect underserved Tier-II and Tier-III cities with affordable, high-frequency flights. Positioned as “buses in the sky,” LAT Aerospace addresses the inefficiencies of India’s current aviation network and taps into underutilized infrastructure. With $50 million in initial funding and a mission to make air travel more accessible, the company is poised to redefine mobility for millions across the country.
GetMyIndia.com RaysVeda.com LawCanal.com Angeltors.com GMICapitals.com