Kazakhstan has taken a significant step into the future of urban transport with the successful test flight of Central Asia's first air taxi. The unmanned flight, conducted in the Almaty region, marks the country's ambition to develop a comprehensive urban air mobility network, with commercial operations expected by early 2029, pending certification and regulatory approval.
The V2000 Prosperity, an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) developed by Chinese manufacturer AutoFlight, lifted off from Alatau City, a new urban centre under development near Almaty. The ten-minute flight was monitored from the ground and demonstrated the aircraft's capabilities to a crowd of spectators.
Alatau City Authority CEO Alisher Abdykadyrov framed the test as more than a technological demonstration. “For us, this is more than a demonstration of new technology,” he said. “It represents a transition toward a new model of urban development, where innovation, digital transformation and advanced mobility solutions become a new economic sector.”
Technical Specifications and Noise Reduction
The V2000 Prosperity can carry one operator and up to five passengers, reaching speeds of 200 kilometres per hour. Powered by 13 electric motors, it can be fully recharged in about an hour and has a range of up to 250 kilometres on a single charge, making it suitable for both urban routes and connections to nearby destinations.
One of the key advantages highlighted by developers is the aircraft's low noise profile. “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.”
The aircraft is designed to operate in temperatures ranging from minus 20 to 55 degrees Celsius, though Kazakhstan's extreme weather conditions will require additional testing before commercial services can begin.
Building the Vertiport Network
Unlike conventional aircraft, eVTOLs require dedicated take-off and landing sites known as vertiports. Italian infrastructure developer UrbanV is leading the construction of these facilities, with the first already under construction in Alatau City. This site will eventually become part of the Eurasia Urban Air Mobility Centre.
Three additional vertiports are planned in the near future, with the broader network including locations at Almaty International Airport and several sites across Almaty. By 2028, six vertiports are expected to be operational, with potential expansion to ten across the region. Total investment in urban air mobility infrastructure in Alatau City is projected to reach around €260 million.
Alatau City, initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, is designed with digital infrastructure in mind, offering planners the opportunity to integrate emerging transport technologies from the outset. Developers envision connecting the new city with Almaty and destinations across the wider Almaty region, a popular tourist area. According to Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport, a journey of roughly 50 kilometres between Almaty Airport and Alatau City could take about ten minutes by air taxi, significantly reducing travel times compared with road transport.
Beyond passenger transport, the aircraft has potential applications in emergency response. AutoFlight says a dedicated version can carry firefighting equipment capable of tackling fires across an area of up to 800 square metres in a single operation, and can also deliver emergency supplies and deploy life-saving rafts.
Regulatory and Certification Hurdles
Before air taxis can carry passengers, Kazakhstan must establish a legal framework for urban air mobility. Government officials and project partners have spent the past year preparing legislative amendments to regulate air taxi operations and the wider development of urban air mobility. The proposed changes have passed several stages of interagency review and are currently under discussion, with adoption expected in the near future.
Certification remains another major hurdle. Aircraft manufacturers must first certify their vehicles and obtain flight permits in their home countries 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.
Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev has indicated that passenger fares will be set at a level to ensure accessibility, though specific pricing has not yet been announced. The project is a partnership between Kazakhstan's Alatau Advanced Air Group and companies from China, South Korea, Italy, and the United States, reflecting a growing international interest in urban air mobility.
Kazakhstan's push into eVTOL technology aligns with broader trends in Europe, where cities like Paris and Munich are also exploring similar concepts. However, the Central Asian nation's approach—building a new city from scratch with digital infrastructure—offers a unique testbed for integrating these technologies. For more on how Kazakhstan is leveraging technology for economic transformation, see Kazakhstan's AI-Driven Government Overhaul Boosts Economy and Efficiency.
