Air Taxis Bring Kazakhstan's Futuristic City to the Forefront
The Kazakhstan government just signed a certificate of understanding with Joby Aviation, the company that's currently pioneering air taxi technology - adapting drone technology to create "Vertical Takeoff and Landing" or eVTOL aircraft that can operate for short distances over the air. Valued at $300 million, this deal would add Kazakhstan in an increasingly long line of countries and cities that are looking to implement air taxis. It also draws attention back to Kazakhstan's ambitious plans for Alatau city - a smart city it's developing for its future.
Even though air taxis have yet to be introduced commercially (I think we'd notice if they were available...), the industry was valued at $1.75 billion dollars in 2025, with limited pilots beginning in multiple countries in the next five years - the US, China, and the UAE are all experimenting with this technology. It still faces significant challenges before it can usurp existing transportation markets, especially the automotive industry. Currently in development, and with high production costs and significant implementation challenges - particularly noise pollution - the technology runs the risk of becoming obsolete. This wouldn't be the first time an exciting and futuristic technology lost momentum - a few years ago, Hyperloop technology focused on high-speed trains began to lose hype, with building for Hyperloop One discontinuing in 2023. Yet, the market is promising as technology continues to develop.
Kazakhstan is integrating this technology into the plans for Alatau - a fully smart city that it plans to begin construction for in 2028. Kazakhstan, placed in a strategic position between China and Russia, is now leveraging its key position to develop a new city to act as a corridor in Central Asia, and investing in the urban development and technology of the future. Recently having established the Alatau City Development Council to bring together key industry, government, and political leaders, as well as the ACA, a government-backed fund to build infrastructure projects. With a Corruption Perceptions Index of 40, the question remains of whether Alatau, just like smart cars, are an overhyped dream for the future, or the key to moving Kazakhstan into the global forefront.
While the Kazakh government has billions to invest into Alatau, we can also make good investments. Find out how:
Nandini Ray