First eVTOL Demonstration Flight in Astana
The first demonstration flight of an AutoFlight Prosperity electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft has been conducted at the Argymak equestrian complex located at the Kazanat Hippodrome in Astana.
The event was organised by Kazakhstan-based Alatau Advance Air Group Ltd. in partnership with Chinese eVTOL developer AutoFlight. It continued a series of aircraft trials launched in Alatau City in May 2026.
The demonstration was attended by representatives of Kazakhstan’s ministries of transport, defence, and artificial intelligence and digital development. Delegations from China and the Republic of Korea, representatives of the US and South Korean diplomatic missions, international companies and aviation experts were also present.
The Astana flight was conducted in uncrewed mode. No pilot or passengers were on board, even though the passenger version of the aircraft is designed for piloted operations.
AutoFlight Prosperity Is Designed for Six People
The AutoFlight Prosperity presented in Astana is designed to carry one pilot and five passengers. According to the event organisers, the electric aircraft can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h and travel as far as 200 kilometres on a single charge.
The eVTOL design combines some of the operating capabilities of a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft. It can take off and land vertically without a conventional runway before transitioning to wing-borne horizontal flight.
This configuration means the Prosperity could be used for more than short urban air-taxi journeys. With suitable infrastructure, it could connect cities, airports, business districts and remote transport facilities.
The stated performance figures do not mean that the aircraft is ready for scheduled passenger operations. Before commercial services can begin, the eVTOL will need to complete certification, while operators will have to demonstrate compliance with safety requirements and obtain the necessary approvals.
Kazakhstan Establishes Rules for Air Taxis
The demonstration took place shortly after Kazakhstan established a dedicated regulatory framework for advanced and urban air mobility.
Legislative amendments signed on June 24, 2026 introduced definitions for advanced and urban air mobility, established the legal status of eVTOL aircraft and vertiports, and created new certification mechanisms for manufacturers, developers and operators.
A separate part of the framework covers unmanned traffic management systems. UTM technology is expected to support aircraft identification, data exchange, route coordination and the management of low-altitude airspace.
Kazakhstan is therefore attempting to develop aircraft operations, infrastructure and regulation at the same time. This approach is intended to prevent a situation in which the technology becomes available but cannot be used because certification procedures and operating rules are missing.
The country is also testing autonomous technology in other transport sectors. K2Cargo.News previously reported that Russia and Kazakhstan completed the first international driverless freight journey, during which autonomous trucks covered routes totalling around 3,000 kilometres.
Trials Began in Alatau City
The first stage of Kazakhstan’s eVTOL programme took place in Alatau City in May 2026. During that demonstration, the AutoFlight Prosperity completed an uncrewed flight, while Alatau Advance Air Group Ltd. and AutoFlight announced an expansion of their cooperation.
Alatau is being developed as a pilot location for an Urban Air Mobility ecosystem. The project includes vertiports, a digital flight management system, maintenance infrastructure and regulatory mechanisms for future operators.
Kazakhstan plans to construct six vertiports by 2028. The facilities are expected to be located at strategically important urban and transport sites, taking safety, accessibility and integration with existing infrastructure into account.
The Alatau and Astana demonstrations allow specialists to assess aircraft performance under different conditions, examine control systems and landing-site requirements, and evaluate how eVTOL operations could be integrated into existing airspace.
Prosperity Will Be Displayed at the Games of the Future 2026
Following the demonstration programme, the AutoFlight Prosperity is expected to be presented to the public at the Games of the Future 2026 international tournament in Astana. The aircraft will form part of an open technology exhibition.
The display will introduce visitors not only to the eVTOL itself but also to a transport concept that could eventually complement roads, rail services and conventional aviation.
The transition from demonstration flights to scheduled air-taxi services will nevertheless take time. In addition to aircraft certification, Kazakhstan will need to develop a vertiport network, train pilots and maintenance personnel, install charging infrastructure and establish rules for operating eVTOL aircraft over urban areas.
The AutoFlight Prosperity demonstration in Astana represents another practical step towards that objective. Further progress will depend on the results of flight testing, infrastructure readiness and the ability of the future system to deliver the required level of safety.
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