Kazakhstan to launch air taxi flights by 2027, deputy PM says
This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.
Vice Premier Kanat Bozumbayev announced that Kazakhstan will launch commercial air taxi flights by 2027, with test flights starting in 2026. The service will connect Almaty with mountain clusters, the airport, railway stations, Konayev, and the Kapchagay reservoir.
The Announcement
Vice Premier Kanat Bozumbayev stated that Kazakhstan will launch air taxi services by 2027. The entire year of 2026 will be dedicated to unmanned test flights across multiple routes. The announcement was made during a briefing on regional transport development.
Planned Routes
The air taxi network will connect Almaty with the mountain cluster, Almaty International Airport, railway stations, Konayev, and the Kapchagay reservoir. Bozumbayev emphasized the high density of routes in the region. The project aims to reduce travel time between these points significantly.
Regulatory Framework
The government is developing regulations for unmanned aerial vehicles and air taxi operations. Bozumbayev noted that safety standards and certification processes are being established. The project involves collaboration with international aviation authorities.
Test Flight and Criticism
A test flight of an eVTOL aircraft from Chinese company AutoFlight was conducted in Alatau, near Almaty. The vehicle, designed for one pilot and five passengers, faced criticism from local observers.
Infrastructure and Capacity Details
Construction of landing pads and an operations center is underway. The air taxis will accommodate two to four passengers.
First Passenger Air Taxi Tests
Demonstration flights of a passenger air taxi took place in Alatau City, marking the first such tests in Kazakhstan. The aircraft requires only a vertiport for takeoff and landing, eliminating the need for long runways.
Ministry of AI and Digital Development Involvement
The demonstration flight was reported by the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan. The project was implemented by the Kazakh company NaizaNews, as stated in the ministry's release.
What's Next
Test flights without passengers are scheduled to begin in 2026 across all planned routes. It remains unclear which companies will operate the service and what ticket prices will be.
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Kazakhstan to launch air taxi flights by 2027, deputy PM says
