Tengrinews.kz — Residents of Kazakhstan will not be able to use air taxis this year—2026 will be entirely dedicated to passenger-free testing. If the trials prove successful, the first flights with people on board could launch as early as the following year in Konaev.
No passengers for now
When asked by journalists about the launch timeline for air taxis following recent test flights, Deputy Prime Minister Kanat Bozumbayev stated that neither commercial nor demonstration flights are expected this year.
According to him, the Ministry of Transport has already introduced temporary regulations for testing, but the entire test cycle will be conducted without people on board.
"We will be flying without passengers for the entire year. We need to verify routes, altitudes, and weather conditions across all four seasons, as well as the impact of climate factors, aeromagnetic fields, and high-voltage lines. These are safety matters," Bozumbayev explained during a government briefing.
He noted that routes are planned to be tested in several directions, linking the mountain cluster, Almaty Airport, railway stations, Konayev, and the Kapshagay Reservoir.
First trials already completed
Alisher Abdykadyrov, CEO of the Alatau City Authority state fund, reported that "the first technical flights have already taken place and were deemed successful." During the trials, they tested not only the air taxi's performance but also its capacity for delivering cargo and groceries.
According to him, the next stage will involve preparing a regulatory framework including operational rules, requirements for vertiports and landing pads, safety standards, and certification.
"Alatau is a territory under an experimental legal regime. We are currently studying international experience and forming the regulatory and technical foundation for the development of a low-altitude economy," Abdykadyrov noted.
When passenger flights will begin
According to Bozumbayev, Kazakhstan is looking to international experience; similar projects are already operational in China and the US, with foreign specialists and private investors involved in the initiative.
Responding to a follow-up question from journalists, the Vice Prime Minister outlined the estimated timeline for launching passenger flights.
"We won't be testing with people. When we fly with people, it will be the real thing," the Deputy Prime Minister concluded.
Air taxis in Kazakhstan
The topic of air taxis was previously raised at a government meeting. Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov instructed the Ministry of Transport to prepare legislative amendments regarding Urban Air Mobility (UAM) by the end of June. He noted that Kazakhstan must be prepared for the launch of air taxis, drones, and other new types of aircraft.
Furthermore, Nurlan Sauranbayev reported that the companies Allur and Alatau Advanced Group are currently procuring test unmanned aerial vehicles. According to the ministry, construction of landing pads and an operations center has already begun.
