Kazakhstan Tests Central Asia's First Electric Air Taxi
A futuristic electric air taxi just completed its first test flight in Kazakhstan, bringing the country closer to launching a network of flying vehicles that could turn a 50-kilometer commute into a breezy 10-minute ride. The unmanned aircraft successfully flew for ten minutes, marking Central Asia's entry into the emerging world of urban air mobility.
The V2000 Prosperity electric aircraft lifted off from Alatau City near Almaty, Kazakhstan, completing a successful ten-minute test flight that could change how people move around cities. Ground controllers monitored every second as the unmanned vehicle demonstrated technology that seemed impossible just years ago.
The electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOL, can carry up to six people and reach speeds of 200 kilometers per hour. Powered by 13 electric motors, it recharges fully in about an hour and can travel up to 250 kilometers on a single charge.
Kazakhstan's Alatau Advanced Air Group is developing the project with partners from China, South Korea, Italy, and the United States. The V2000 was built by Chinese manufacturer AutoFlight, which designed the aircraft to handle Kazakhstan's challenging climate, operating in temperatures from minus 20 to 55 degrees Celsius.
"For us, this is more than a demonstration of new technology," says Alisher Abdykadyrov, CEO 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 runs remarkably quiet compared to traditional helicopters. At 100 meters away during takeoff and landing, noise stays below 70 decibels, and at cruising altitude of 250 meters, it's barely noticeable from the ground.
Six dedicated vertiports (compact takeoff and landing facilities) are planned across the region by 2028, with the first already under construction in Alatau City. These facilities can be built on the ground or on rooftops, fitting seamlessly into urban landscapes.
The Ripple Effect
The air taxi network could transform life across Kazakhstan's Almaty region, one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. A journey that currently takes much longer by car could shrink to just ten minutes between Almaty Airport and Alatau City.
Beyond passenger transport, the aircraft shows promise for emergency response. A specialized version can carry firefighting equipment to tackle blazes across 800 square meters in a single operation, deliver emergency supplies, and deploy life rafts that each support up to ten people.
The project represents about €260 million in total investment and positions Kazakhstan alongside a small group of nations pioneering urban air mobility. Commercial operations could begin by early 2029, pending certification and regulatory approval.
Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport has spent the past year drafting legislation to regulate air taxi operations, with proposed amendments currently under discussion and expected to pass soon.
Alatau City, a new urban development initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, was designed with digital infrastructure from the start, making it the perfect testing ground for tomorrow's transportation.
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Based on reporting by Euronews
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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