A drone carrying a passenger has completed the first flight of its kind in Kazakhstan as part of an air taxi project, the Kazakh Transport Ministry said Thursday.
“The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft carried out a demonstration flight (…) during the international Games of the Future 2026 tournament. This is the first flight of its kind with a passenger in the history of Kazakhstan,” the ministry said in a statement.
The aircraft is designed to carry two passengers, can reach speeds of up to 130 kilometers (81 miles) per hour and has a maximum range of 35 kilometers (22 miles).
The ministry said the project’s initial phase will include demonstration and sightseeing flights lasting between five and 30 minutes over Kazakhstan’s natural, cultural and historical landmarks.
In the future, the air taxis are expected to be integrated into the country’s transportation infrastructure, complementing existing mobility options. They will also support emergency medical services, firefighting and logistics operations, among other functions.
“As part of international cooperation, plans are underway to localize the production of passenger unmanned aerial systems in Kazakhstan, contributing to the development of advanced engineering capabilities, job creation and expanded industrial cooperation,” the ministry said.
The Kazakh Transport Ministry is currently developing the legal and infrastructure framework needed to implement urban air mobility.
Legislative amendments regulating the operation of these aircraft and unmanned air traffic management systems have already been approved. EFE