Air Taxi Fares in Alatau and Almaty to Be Determined by 2028-2029

Following the first demonstration flight of an air taxi in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, which took place in Alatau on May 19, one of the key questions has been the cost of air taxi services. The Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan announced that pricing will be finalized closer to the launch of commercial operations, planned for late 2028 to early 2029.

03.07.2026

“It should be noted that this is an entirely new technology and a new industry. Therefore, final fares are still being calculated. AAAG, together with international consultants – KPMG Korea, Korea Airports Corporation (South Korea), and UrbanV (Italy) – is studying international best practices while also assessing the Kazakhstan market. The final fares will be determined closer to the launch of commercial operations,” the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan stated.

The development of the air taxi industry will be financed through private investment by Alatau Advance Air Group Ltd. (AAAG) and the shareholder of Alatau City Bank. Total investment in the Urban Air Mobility ecosystem in Alatau is estimated at approximately USD 300 million.

Demonstration Flight and Vertiport Construction

For context, on May 19, during the demonstration flight, the AutoFlight Prosperity passenger eVTOL aircraft took to the skies. Designed to carry one pilot and five passengers, it can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h and has a range of up to 200 km on a single charge. In accordance with safety requirements, the demonstration flight was conducted without passengers.

The project is being developed by the private Kazakh company Alatau Advance Air Group Ltd. (AAAG) with the participation of international partners from China, South Korea, Italy, and the United States. All stages of the project – from research to the demonstration flight – are financed entirely through private investment. AAAG has signed a memorandum with AutoFlight for the purchase of 50 V2000/V5000 series eVTOL aircraft and the development of a regional ecosystem covering infrastructure, training, ground operations, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO).

eVTOL aircraft take off and land at vertiports – compact facilities equipped with charging infrastructure and navigation systems. Construction of the first vertiport in Alatau has already begun at the demonstration site, where the UAM Center Eurasia hub is set to be developed.

Legislative Framework for the Industry

On June 24, 2026, the President of Kazakhstan signed the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Digitalization, Personal Data Protection, Road Traffic, and the Regulation of Advanced Technologies in Transport.” The amendments introduce changes to the Law “On Use of Air Space of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Aviation Activity.” and establish the regulatory framework for the development of innovative aviation and the integration of advanced technologies into the national aviation system.

Kazakhstan has joined the group of countries with a regulatory framework for eVTOL operations, alongside the United States, the European Union, South Korea, and China. The law introduces the concept of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), establishes the legal status of vertiports, sets certification requirements for operators and aircraft, and introduces requirements for unmanned air traffic management systems and the cybersecurity of digital infrastructure.