Kazakhstan's first passenger drone taxi takes off

The first unmanned air taxi flight with passengers was carried out in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana, for the first time in the country's history. This was reported by the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

As part of the international tournament "Future Games - 2026", a demonstration flight of the electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) EH216-S was conducted in a specially designated area of the city. This test was the first in the country and demonstrated the capabilities of unmanned passenger transportation technologies in real conditions.

The EH216-S is designed to carry two people, can reach speeds of 130 km / h and cover a distance of up to 35 kilometers without a pilot.

At the initial stage, the government is considering the possibility of launching demonstration and tourist routes lasting from five to 30 minutes over the natural, cultural and historical attractions of Kazakhstan. In the future, such devices can become part of the urban transport system and complement existing modes of transport.

In addition to passenger transportation, it is planned to use unmanned air taxis for emergency medical care, drug delivery, search and rescue operations, firefighting and logistics.

"Another direction of the project will be the localization of passenger drone production in Kazakhstan within the framework of international cooperation. This is expected to create new high-tech production facilities and additional jobs, as well as expand industrial cooperation," the report says.

The Ministry of Transport announced that a regulatory framework has been formed for the introduction of urban air transport. Amendments have been made to the legislation regulating the use of eVTOL air taxis, the activities of vertiports and unmanned air traffic control systems in the country. This should ensure the safe integration of new technologies into the transport infrastructure.

In May, it was reported that the first eVTOL flying taxi was tested in the Almaty region of Kazakhstan. This test is the first in the entire Central Asia. The electric-powered air taxi will help reduce traffic congestion, connect tourist attractions and significantly reduce travel times.

In May last year, Iran officially launched the country's first air taxi. The first flight of the air taxi connected the cities of Keraj and Qazvin, marking the beginning of regular flights.