Air Taxi Demonstration Flight Takes Place in Astana

Air Taxi Demonstration Flight Takes Place in Astana

On July 24, 2026, Astana witnessed its first-ever demonstration flight of an air taxi based on an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The demonstration took place at the Kazanat Hippodrome and marked another milestone in the implementation of Kazakhstan’s Urban Air Mobility (UAM) development project.

The flight took place as a part of international tournament Games of the Future 2026 (GOTF 2026) powered by Samruk-Kazyna.

The event was organized by the Kazakh private company Alatau Advance Air Group Ltd. (AAAG) in partnership with AutoFlight (China), a leading manufacturer of eVTOL aircraft.

The demonstration featured the AutoFlight Prosperity eVTOL, designed to carry one pilot and up to five passengers. The aircraft is capable of speeds of up to 200 km/h and has a range of up to 200 km. Equipped with 13 electric motors, it operates significantly more quietly than conventional aircraft and produces zero CO₂ emissions.

In accordance with safety requirements, the demonstration flight of the AutoFlight Prosperity was conducted without passengers. This format is standard international practice for the first public demonstrations of new aircraft and allows for the evaluation of the aircraft’s flight performance and the reliability of its systems prior to obtaining full passenger certification in the country of operation.

“The demonstration flight in Astana are not a standalone event but part of a systematic effort to introduce Urban Air Mobility in Kazakhstan. The country is steadily building a comprehensive ecosystem: the necessary legislation has been adopted, infrastructure development is underway, and international cooperation with leading global companies continues to expand. Demonstration flights help prepare the industry for the practical deployment of these technologies. Our goal is to make innovative air transport an integral part of Kazakhstan’s transportation system,” said Sergey Khegay, Chief Executive Officer of Alatau Advance Air Group Ltd. (AAAG).

The development of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) in Kazakhstan, including projects within Alatau City, is coordinated by Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev. This work brings together the government agencies responsible for establishing the new industry. A key role is played by the Ministry of Transport, the Ministry of Defence, and the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. 

This work received legislative backing on June 24, 2026, when President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed the Law “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Digitalization, Personal Data Protection, Road Traffic, and the Regulation of Advanced Technologies in Transport.” The law established, for the first time, a modern legal framework for the development of Urban Air Mobility (UAM) in Kazakhstan by defining the legal status of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, vertiports, and Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) systems, while also introducing certification requirements for market participants and digital infrastructure.

“The legislative amendments have established the necessary legal foundation for the development of Urban Air Mobility in Kazakhstan. The demonstration flights in Alatau City and Astana confirm that the country is now moving steadily toward the practical deployment of eVTOL technologies. Our task is to ensure the safe integration of these technologies into Kazakhstan’s national transport system while creating the conditions for the development of a new high-tech industry,” the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan stated.

"We are building an entirely new industry – the low-altitude economy. The development of advanced infrastructure, including smart vertiports and a digital flight management system, will fundamentally transform Kazakhstan's urban landscape and strengthen the country's position as a technological leader," the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan noted.

The development of this new industry is also envisaged under the Special Legal Regime of Alatau City. The Constitutional Law, which entered into force on July 1, 2026, designated the city as a pilot platform for the implementation of innovative transport technologies. Since Alatau City is being built from the ground up, Urban Air Mobility infrastructure is being integrated into its master plan from the earliest design stage.

Today, the UAM Center Eurasia project - the first urban air mobility center in the region - is already being implemented in Alatau City. In collaboration with Korea Airports Corporation, UrbanV, and AutoFlight, AAAG is working on developing a network of vertiports, digital infrastructure, and preparing for the commercial operation of this new mode of transport.

Kellen Xie, Senior Vice President of AutoFlight, said:

“Looking ahead, we see our large eVTOL technology transforming the region across multiple sectors: advanced air mobility through air taxis providing seamless connectivity between cities; regional air transportation capable of covering vast distances across the world's largest landlocked country; sightseeing flights over Kazakhstan’s spectacular snow-capped mountains and ski resorts; intercity logistics and express delivery; and smart city operations, including emergency medical services and energy infrastructure support. These applications represent far more than technological possibilities - they define a new paradigm of sustainable, zero-emission transportation for Central Asia. We sincerely thank the Government of Kazakhstan, the country’s aviation authorities, our strategic partner AAAG, and all members of our ecosystem for their vision, trust, and continued support. Together, we are building an intelligent low-altitude transportation network that will shape a better future for everyone.”

Following the demonstration flight, the AutoFlight Prosperity eVTOL will become one of the most distinctive exhibits at the international tournament Games of the Future 2026 (GOTF 2026) powered by Samruk-Kazyna. On 29 and 30 July, the aircraft will be displayed at an open-air exhibition in front of Barys Arena, where residents and visitors of Astana will have the opportunity to see it up close. Inside the eVTOL, a themed installation featuring the Games of the Future mascots will transform the aircraft into a symbol of next-generation technologies. The exhibition will serve as a vivid embodiment of the tournament's concept, bringing together sport, innovation, and cutting-edge technologies.