EHang Completes Central Asia's First Pilotless eVTOL Flight in Astana During GOTF2026
Why It MattersThe Astana flight extends pilotless eVTOL commercial demonstration into a new region, signaling wider international expansion for China-certified autonomous air mobility platforms.
EHang Holdings Limited completed the first pilotless human-carrying eVTOL flight in Central Asia on August 10, 2026, in Astana, Kazakhstan, during the Games of the Future 2026. The demonstration used the company's EH216-S model, which flew multiple routes over the event venue carrying Nurlan Sauranbayev, Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, and other guests, while witnesses included President Assistant Yesekeyev Kuanyshbek, Vice-Minister of Transport Lastayev Talgat Tleubekovich, and Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan CEO Michael E. Daniel.
In 2025, EHang signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Allur Group, one of Kazakhstan's largest automotive manufacturers, to jointly develop advanced air mobility markets in Central Asia. Kazakhstan's Ministry of Transport said the project's first phase will focus on demonstration and tourist flights lasting five to 30 minutes, showcasing the country's natural, cultural, and historical landmarks, with autonomous aircraft eventually intended to join the urban transportation network alongside existing modes.
The EH216-S holds the world's first type certificate, production certificate, and standard airworthiness certificate for pilotless eVTOLs, all issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China, and operates commercially under China's first Air Operator Certificates for human-carrying eVTOL services. The aircraft's flight footprint now spans 23 countries across five continents, with Kazakhstan the latest addition.
