Joby Aviatio has signed a letter of intent to sell up to US$250 million worth of electric air taxis and services to Alatau Advance Air Group (AAAG). The deal will help bring clean, quiet air travel to Kazakhstan.
The agreement includes pre-delivery payments and is backed by a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. Together, they will shape the rules and build the infrastructure needed for this new form of transport. Kazakhstan aims to be one of the first countries in Central Asia to embrace advanced air mobility.
AAAG is leading the creation of Alatau City — a 340-square-mile smart city now under development. The city will become a hub for innovation and the first launch site for Joby’s air taxis. These aircraft will make short trips faster, cleaner and more efficient.
In addition, Joby and AAAG will work together to source key materials such as titanium and rare earth metals from Kazakhstan. This cooperation will support Joby’s production and deepen industrial ties between the two countries.
Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, praised the partnership. “Kazakhstan is taking a step into the future of innovative transportation,” he said. The purchase of eVTOL aircraft will mark an important milestone in the development of smart cities and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. This initiative will contribute to the growth of Alatau City as a unique hub of advanced technologies of the future.”
The project shows Kazakhstan’s ambition to lead in smart mobility and sustainable innovation. At the same time, it highlights Joby Aviation’s growing global reach and its commitment to reshaping urban travel. Together, they are turning a futuristic vision into reality — one flight at a time.
