EHang Holdings Limited has announced that its EH216-S has successfully completed Central Asia’s first pilotless human-carrying flight of an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Astana, Kazakhstan.
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 temperate continental climate and open airspace environment provide conditions for advanced air mobility (AAM) applications and flight operations.
Yesekeyev Kuanyshbek, President Assistant of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Talgat Tleubekovich Lastayev, Vice-Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan; and Michael E. Daniel, CEO of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan, attended the event and witnessed the flights.
In June 2026, Kazakhstan established a national initial regulatory framework covering eVTOL aircraft, vertiports and unmanned aircraft traffic management systems (UTM).
Two months later, the EH216-S completed its first pilotless human-carrying flight under the framework, demonstrating EHang’s ability to support human-carrying flight operations across different regulatory environments.
In 2025, EHang signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Allur Group, one of Kazakhstan’s largest automotive manufacturers, to jointly develop emerging markets for advanced air mobility solutions in Central Asia.
According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport, the first phase of the project will focus on demonstration and tourist flights lasting between five and 30 minutes. The flights will showcase the country’s natural, cultural and historical landmarks. In the future, autonomous aircraft could become part of the urban transportation network and complement existing modes of transport.
To date, EHang’s EH216-S has expanded its flight footprint to 23 countries across five continents, with Kazakhstan becoming the latest addition. The company said the aircraft has demonstrated adaptability to different climates, geographic environments and airspace conditions.
EHang is continuing to develop pilotless human-carrying flight as an increasingly accessible form of advanced air mobility, with the EH216-S being deployed across international markets.
