Kazakhstan is launching Central Asia’s first urban air mobility (UAM) system. eVTOL flights between Alatau and Almaty are set to begin this year, El.kz explored what the new city will look like.
Test flights of AutoFlight aircraft in Kazakhstan’s skies are scheduled for the second and third quarters of 2026. It was stated during a working visit by a delegation from the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan and Alatau Advance Air Group Ltd. (AAAG) to the AutoFlight production facility in Kunshan, China.
The Kazakh side observed flights of two models: the CaryAll V2000CG cargo drone and the CaryAll V2000CGF firefighting version. These vehicles can reach speeds of up to 250 km/h and cover up to 200 km on a single charge. The demonstration flights will be conducted without passengers on board.
Routes and speed
According to Deputy PM Kanat Bozumbayev, air taxis will eventually reach speeds of 300–350 km/h. Travel time between Alatau and Almaty will be reduced to just 10–15 minutes.
The route network will connect Alatau, Almaty, Medeu, Kapshagay, and the mountain tourism cluster.
In addition to AutoFlight, Kazakhstan is expected to purchase $300 mln worth of eVTOLs from the American company Joby Aviation.
Infrastructure: vertiports and production
Designing began in 2025, and 2026 will mark the start of construction on the country’s first network of vertiports landing pads specifically for eVTOLs. The project is being implemented by AAAG in collaboration with Italy’s UrbanV and the Korean Airport Corporation.
"Quadroports" will be built to provide connectivity between Alatau, Konayev, several points in Almaty, and various tourist destinations.
A Testing Center is currently under construction in the Golden District of Alatau City, which will serve as the core of the future UAM Center Eurasia. Negotiations are already underway to localize eVTOL production directly within Kazakhstan.
Iconic towers: 272 meters and $800 mln
Alongside the development of air infrastructure, Alatau City is preparing for the construction of the Iconic Towers skyscraper.
The complex includes a 56-story tower featuring Class A offices and apartments, an 80-meter tower for a five-star hotel, and a three-story podium for retail and cultural infrastructure. Standing at 272 meters with a total area of 276.8 thousand square meters, excavation is set to begin in May 2026, with commissioning scheduled for late 2029. Private investment in the project exceeds $800 million.
A first-of-its-kind in Central Asia
According to Bozumbayev, Alatau will become the first location in the world outside of China where air taxis and drones can be tested at altitudes exceeding 120 meters. Currently, such flights are only conducted in Shenzhen.
The legal foundation has already been established: Parliament passed a constitutional law on the "city of accelerated development," which includes a unique regulatory regime for new technologies.
Bozumbayev directly linked the development of air mobility to the goal of attracting approximately 8 million tourists per year by providing rapid transport between mountain resorts, Almaty, and Alatau.
AutoFlight stated they view Kazakhstan as a key aviation hub for Central Asia and intend to adapt eVTOL implementation models to local legislation and market demand.