Kazakhstan to roll out air taxi in Almaty soon

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Kazakhstan is considering launching air taxi services using electric aircraft, a move officials say could significantly cut travel times between Almaty and surrounding areas.

Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev said during a parliamentary session that initial test flights could begin as early as 2026, with broader deployment possible within two to three years if trials prove successful.

The proposed routes would connect Almaty with Alatau and nearby settlements, using electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft — a technology being tested globally as an alternative to ground transport for short and medium distances.

Kazakhstan is in talks with international developers, including Joby Aviation and Autoflight, to support the project.

A key component of the system will be dedicated landing hubs, or vertiports, designed to facilitate regular aerial routes between urban centers, suburbs and tourist destinations.

Officials estimate the aircraft could reach speeds of 300 to 350 kilometers per hour, reducing travel time between Almaty and Alatau to around 10 to 15 minutes.

Experts caution, however, that such systems are typically introduced gradually, with limited routes and strict safety standards in the early stages before wider adoption.

Authorities say the initiative is not intended to replace traditional transport but to complement it, offering a new model for regional mobility as infrastructure and technology evolve.