AutoFlight has successfully completed its first electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) air taxi demonstration flight in Astana, marking another milestone in the company’s expansion across Central Asia.
The flight took place on 24 July during the Games of the Future 2026 and was conducted with special approval from the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan.
More than 300 guests attended, including Assistant to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Han Chunlin, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr. Jung Ki Hong, and Director General of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan Michael Daniel.
Michael Daniel recognized the demonstration as an important step toward advancing Advanced Air Mobility in Kazakhstan.
Following the demonstration flight, the ton-class eVTOL aircraft will remain on display throughout the Games of the Future 2026 as part of the official public exhibition. The international phygital tournament brings together more than 800 competitors from over 50 countries across eight disciplines, combining physical competition with digital gaming.
The Astana demonstration follows AutoFlight’s first eVTOL flight in Alatau City in May 2026. Through its strategic partnership with Alatau Advance Air Group Ltd. (AAAG), AutoFlight is supporting the development of Advanced Air Mobility in Kazakhstan, where continued investment in aviation innovation, smart infrastructure and regional connectivity is creating momentum for the industry.
Sergey Khegay, Chief Executive Officer of AAAG, commented, “The demonstration flights in Astana are not a standalone event but part of a systematic effort to introduce urban air mobility in Kazakhstan. The country is steadily building a comprehensive ecosystem: the necessary legislation has been adopted, infrastructure development is underway, and international cooperation with leading global companies continues to expand. Our goal is to make innovative air transport an integral part of Kazakhstan’s transportation system.”
AutoFlight sees potential applications for large eVTOL aircraft across Central Asia, including urban air mobility, regional transportation, aerial tourism, logistics and emergency response.
Jia Xie, Senior Vice President of AutoFlight, commented, “We see tremendous potential for large eVTOL aircraft across Central Asia—from urban air mobility and regional transportation to aerial tourism, logistics and emergency response. These real-world applications demonstrate how Advanced Air Mobility can deliver safe, efficient and sustainable transportation solutions for the region.”
As AutoFlight continues to expand its global footprint, the company remains committed to working with governments, regulators and strategic partners worldwide to accelerate the commercialization of eVTOL technology and support new opportunities for sustainable air transportation.
