EHang Holdings Limited has announced that its flagship EH216-S successfully completed Central Asia’s first pilotless human-carrying flight of an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The flight took place during the Games of the Future 2026 (GOTF2026), with the EH216-S conducting multiple route flights over the event venue in Astana. The aircraft carried Nurlan Sauranbayev, Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan, along with other distinguished guests.
Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, serves as a hub connecting Europe and Asia. According to EHang, the city’s temperate continental climate and open airspace environment provide conditions for advanced air mobility applications and flight operations.
President Assistant of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yesekeyev Kuanyshbek, Vice-Minister of Transport Kazakhstan Lastayev Talgat Tleubekovich and CEO of the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan Michael E. Daniel 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 new regulatory framework. EHang said the flight demonstrated its ability to support human-carrying operations under 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 advanced air mobility markets 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. These flights are intended to showcase Kazakhstan’s natural, cultural and historical landmarks.
In the future, the autonomous aircraft could become part of the country’s urban transportation network and complement existing transportation modes.
EHang said the EH216-S has now expanded its flight footprint to 23 countries across five continents, with Kazakhstan becoming the latest addition. The company said the expansion demonstrates the aircraft’s adaptability to different climates, geographic environments and airspace conditions.
EHang is continuing to develop pilotless human-carrying flight as an advanced air mobility application, with the EH216-S being deployed across international markets as the company works to expand autonomous urban and intercity mobility.
