Sky-high confusion: Residents mistake new air taxis for spy drones
A video circulating on social media shows an unusual aircraft flying over the city of Alatau, Kazakhstan’s flagship new urban development project modeled after China’s Shenzhen.
The footage sparked speculation among local residents, with some suggesting the aircraft was a military drone, a traffic-monitoring device, or part of a classified test program.
However, authorities in the Almaty region later clarified that the aircraft is an air taxi.
According to the mayor’s office, the aircraft shown in the video is an AutoFlight eVTOL passenger aircraft.
Read also: Almaty’s new air taxi to Alatau takes flight soon.
Officials said test flights are currently underway ahead of what is expected to be the first demonstration flight of an air taxi in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
Project background and investment
In October 2024, Kazakhstan’s transport ministry presented the air taxi project for the new city during a forum dedicated to Alatau in South Korea.
The project is being developed by Alatau Advance Air Group, founded in March 2025 and owned by Yuri Tskhai through the company Caspian Integrity. Tskhai is a businessman and former senator, and one of the initiators and investors behind Alatau city.
In November 2025, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of Kazakhstan, Joby Aero Inc., Alatau Advance Air Group Ltd., and entrepreneur Vyacheslav Kim signed a memorandum in the U.S. The document outlines plans to procure eVTOL aircraft worth about $300 million.
