Kazakhstan and South Korea to Jointly Develop Technologies for Air Taxis

On September 15, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, and the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport signed a memorandum of understanding. The agreement covers technology transfer, as well as the development and implementation of an Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) system.

What is UTM?

UTM is designed to manage low-altitude airspace used by unmanned aircraft systems.

Under the agreement, Kazakhstan plans to acquire and localize advanced digital technologies. The system will be operated and its data processed in Kazakhstan, in line with national legislation.

The system will support the development of urban air mobility in Kazakhstan. As part of this effort, the country is considering the use of eVTOL aircraft – electric aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing – as well as the development of unmanned logistics.

The project will be implemented by South Korea’s Korea Airports Corporation (KAC) and Kazakhstan’s Alatau Advance Air Group (AAAG).

The project will take into account ICAO international standards and recommended practices, as well as Kazakhstan’s requirements for aviation safety, cybersecurity and the protection of critical infrastructure.

Alatau City will become the first site for the practical implementation of UTM and the development of an urban air mobility ecosystem in Kazakhstan.