Kazakhstan has successfully carried out Central Asia’s first air taxi test flight, marking a significant step toward the development of an urban air mobility network in the region.
Commercial trial services are expected to begin in late 2028 or early 2029, pending certification and regulatory approvals.
The milestone flight took place in Alatau City, located in Kazakhstan’s Almaty region, where the V2000 Prosperity air taxi completed a 10-minute unmanned demonstration before an audience of officials, industry representatives and spectators. The aircraft was remotely monitored throughout the test from a ground control station.
The initiative positions Kazakhstan among a select group of nations exploring urban air mobility through electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The project is being advanced by Alatau Advanced Air Group in collaboration with partners from China, South Korea, Italy and the United States.
Investment in the urban air mobility infrastructure planned for Alatau City is projected to reach approximately €260 million.
“For us, this is more than a demonstration of new technology,” says Alisher Abdykadyrov, chief executive officer of Alatau City Authority. “It represents a transition toward a new model of urban development, where innovation, digital transformation and advanced mobility solutions become a new economic sector.”
The aircraft featured in the demonstration was developed by Chinese company AutoFlight. Designed to accommodate one operator and up to five passengers, the V2000 Prosperity can travel at speeds of up to 200 kilometres per hour. Equipped with 13 electric motors, the aircraft can be fully recharged in roughly one hour.
AutoFlight says the aircraft has a maximum range of 250 kilometres on a single charge, enabling both urban transportation and regional connectivity. Developers also point to its quieter operation compared with traditional helicopters.
“If we are 100 metres away from the eVTOL during take-off and landing, the noise level will normally be below 70 decibels,” said Kellen Xie, senior vice president of AutoFlight. “And if the aircraft is cruising about 250 metres above the ground, we cannot feel anything.”
Built to operate in temperatures ranging from minus 20 to 55 degrees Celsius, the aircraft will nevertheless undergo further testing to assess its performance under Kazakhstan’s harsh weather conditions before entering commercial service.
Unlike conventional aircraft, eVTOLs rely on specialised take-off and landing facilities known as vertiports. These compact hubs can be constructed at ground level or atop buildings, making them suitable for integration into densely populated urban areas.
Italian infrastructure company UrbanV is overseeing the development of the vertiport network. Construction has already begun on the first vertiport in Alatau City, which is expected to form part of the future Eurasia Urban Air Mobility Centre.
Plans call for three additional vertiports in the near term, while the wider network will extend to Almaty International Airport and several locations throughout Almaty. By 2028, six vertiports are expected to be operational, with potential expansion to 10 facilities across the region.
Alatau City, a new urban development launched under the initiative of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, is set to become the focal point of Kazakhstan’s urban air mobility strategy. Designed with advanced digital infrastructure, the city offers a testing ground for integrating next-generation transportation systems from the outset.
Project developers aim to establish air taxi links between Alatau City, Almaty and destinations throughout the broader Almaty region, a major tourism hub. According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport, a trip of approximately 50 kilometres between Almaty Airport and Alatau City could be completed in around 10 minutes by air taxi, significantly reducing travel times compared with road transport.
Beyond passenger services, the technology is expected to support emergency-response operations. AutoFlight has developed a specialised version capable of carrying firefighting equipment that can combat fires covering up to 800 square metres in a single mission.
The aircraft can also be deployed for emergency supply deliveries and rescue operations, including the transport of life-saving rafts capable of supporting up to 10 people each.
Before passenger operations can begin, Kazakhstan must establish a legal framework governing urban air mobility. Officials from the Ministry of Transport and project partners have spent the past year drafting legislative amendments intended to regulate air taxi services and facilitate the sector’s development.
The proposed legislation has already cleared several stages of interagency review and remains under active discussion. Authorities expect the regulations to be adopted in the near future.
Certification remains a key requirement before commercial deployment. Manufacturers must first secure certification and flight approvals in their home jurisdictions before submitting documentation to Kazakhstan’s aviation authorities for recognition.
“Only after that will we be able to launch commercial services using this new mode of transport,” said Daniyar Uteulin, project manager at Alatau Advanced Air Group.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev, fares for passengers are expected to be set at “around one US dollar per kilometre” travelled. Initial commercial trial operations are currently scheduled for late 2028 or early 2029.
Should the project move forward as planned, Kazakhstan could become one of the first countries in Central Asia to incorporate air taxis into its transportation system, connecting cities, airports and tourist destinations through a new mobility network.
“This marks a major milestone that reinforces the success of the work carried out to date and establishes the foundation for initiatives such as the Low Altitude Economy, a high-tech sector that will help shape the future of the global economy,” said Vyacheslav Kim, shareholder of Alatau City Bank and partner of Alatau Advanced Air Group.
Project leaders ultimately envision using Alatau City as a model for expansion across Kazakhstan, with the long-term goal of extending urban air mobility services throughout Central Asia.
