AutoFlight EVTOL Demo Boosts Kazakhstan Air Taxi Plans

China’s AutoFlight conducted an uncrewed demonstration flight of its Prosperity electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft in Kazakhstan on May 19, launching plans to establish an air taxi network linking Almaty, its largest city, with Alatau City and other destinations.

The demonstration was conducted in collaboration with Alatau Advance Air Group (AAAG), which purchased the aircraft. At the event, the companies signed a memorandum of understanding for an additional 50 of AutoFlight’s eVTOLs, including the V2000 CarryAll, Prosperity and larger V5000 Matrix models.

The flight was conducted from an open area along a national highway in Alatau City where Kazakhstan’s first vertiport is being built. The site is planned to become the UAM Center Eurasia, the country’s first advanced air mobility hub.

In November 2025, Joby signed a letter of intent with AAAG covering $250 million in sales of aircraft and support to establish air taxi services in Kazakhstan. The agreement included pre-delivery payments and was supported by a parallel memorandum of understanding between Joby and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.

Following the May 19 demo, news agency Kazinform reported that cargo and passenger air taxi services could be launched between Alatau, Almaty and Qonayev as early as 2027. Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev was reported as saying the AAM network would connect Almaty and Alatau to mountain resorts with the goal of developing tourism.

Kazakhstan recently enacted regulations establishing Alatau City as a special zone focused on innovation and new technologies. The air taxi network is to be financed privately, not by the state, and AAAG is to collaborate with Alatau City Bank to attract foreign investment. The company is working with UrbanV and Korean Airport Corp. to develop the vertiports.