EHang, a Chinese AAM technology platform company, has completed Central Asia's first pilotless human-carrying flight of an eVTOL aircraft in Astana, Kazakhstan, using its flagship EH216-S.

During the Games of the Future 2026 (GOTF2026), the EH216-S conducted multiple route flights over the event venue in Astana, carrying Nurlan Sauranbayev, Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, and other distinguished guests.

As the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana serves as an important hub connecting Europe and Asia. Its distinctive temperate continental climate and open airspace environment provide favourable conditions for AAM applications and flight operations.

The President Assistant of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yesekeyev Kuanyshbek, Vice-Minister of Transport Kazakhstan Lastayev Talgat Tleubekovich and CEO of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan Michael E. Daniel attended the event and witnessed the flights.

In June 2026, Kazakhstan proactively established a national initial regulatory framework for eVTOL aircraft, vertiports and unmanned aircraft traffic management systems (UTM).

Two months later, the EH216-S has completed its first pilotless human-carrying flight under this regulatory framework, demonstrating EHang's technical capabilities in rapidly supporting safe and compliant human-carrying flights across diverse regulatory environments worldwide.

In 2025, EHang signed a memorandum of understanding with Allur Group, one of Kazakhstan's largest automotive manufacturers, to jointly develop emerging markets for AAM solutions in Central Asia.

According to the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan, the first phase of the project will focus on demonstration and tourist flights lasting between five and 30 minutes, showcasing the country's natural, cultural and historical landmarks. In the future, the autonomous aircraft could become part of the urban transportation network, complementing existing modes of transportation.

To date, EHang's EH216-S has expanded its flight footprint to 23 countries across five continents, marking Kazakhstan as the latest addition and demonstrating its adaptability to diverse climates, geographic environments and airspace conditions.

EHang is transforming pilotless human-carrying flight from a technological vision into an increasingly accessible reality around the world, helping bring China's low-altitude economy standards to global markets and reshaping the future of urban and intercity mobility.

In addition, AutoFlight, a Chinese eVTOL aircraft developer, together with its strategic partner Alatau Advance Air Group (AAAG), participated in the live eVTOL demo flights in Astana.

“The demonstration flights in Astana are not a standalone event but part of a systematic effort to introduce urban air mobility in Kazakhstan. The country is steadily building a comprehensive ecosystem: the necessary legislation has been adopted, infrastructure development is underway and international cooperation with leading global companies continues to expand. Our goal is to make innovative air transport an integral part of Kazakhstan's transportation system,” states Sergey Khegay, chief executive officer of AAAG.

“We see tremendous potential for large eVTOL aircraft across Central Asia, from urban air mobility and regional transportation to aerial tourism, logistics and emergency response,” adds Jia Xie, senior vice president of AutoFlight. “These real-world applications demonstrate how advanced air mobility can deliver safe, efficient and sustainable transportation solutions for the region.”

As AutoFlight continues expanding its global footprint, the company remains committed to working with governments, regulators and strategic partners worldwide to accelerate the commercialisation of eVTOL technology and unlock new opportunities for sustainable air transportation.