Kazakhstan is testing a project for urban air mobility using eVTOL aircraft — vertical take-off and landing vehicles. At the same time, the authorities are preparing the legal framework for the potential launch of air taxis as a new form of urban and suburban transport.
WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROJECT
Transport Minister Nurlan Saurenbayev stated that the project is in the testing phase. According to him, air taxis are seen as a promising product not only for Kazakhstan but also for the global market. These aircraft will have a capacity of two to four passengers.
The minister also noted that it is currently impossible to determine the cost of trips, as the project is still undergoing trials.
WHAT CHANGES IS THE GOVERNMENT PREPARING
At a government meeting, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov emphasised the need to prepare the legal framework in advance for the launch of new types of air transport.
According to him, international regulators have already developed certification rules for commercial air taxis. He cited EASA in Europe and FAA in the USA as examples.
The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Transport to prepare and adopt the necessary legislative amendments on urban air mobility (UAM) by the end of June.
WHERE ARE THE TESTS TAKING PLACE
The first demonstration flight of a Chinese-made AutoFlight eVTOL air taxi is scheduled in the city of Alatau. The aircraft is designed for a pilot and five passengers. The flight range is up to 200 km.
Test trials have already been conducted at an open site near Almaty along a national highway. The first vertiport in Kazakhstan — a specialised take-off and landing pad for eVTOLs — is also being built there.
In the future, it is planned to establish the UAM Center Eurasia and a full-scale vertiport for servicing air taxis on this site.
WHAT IS EVTOL
eVTOL air taxis are compact electric or hybrid vertical take-off and landing aircraft. They are designed to transport passengers within cities and between nearby settlements.