Joby Aviation’s latest international move may not have made front-page headlines in New York or Silicon Valley, but it could prove one of its most strategically important. The California-based eVTOL pioneer has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) worth up to US $250 million with Alatau Advance Air Group Ltd. (AAAG) in Kazakhstan, setting the stage for the nation’s first electric air-taxi network.
This isn’t just about aircraft sales. It’s about building a bridge between one of the world’s most ambitious “smart city” projects, Alatau City and one of the most advanced electric aviation companies on the planet, Joby Aviation.
For Joby, this represents both a new customer and a new section of the Asian continent. For Kazakhstan, it’s a leap into the future of clean aviation.
Alatau City
Alatau City is planned as a futuristic city built with a vision of ESG principles, and taking advantage of the geography of Alatau City being located in the heart of Central Asia. The Almaty-Konaev highway which runs through Alatau City, contributes to the lifeline routes between member nations of the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC). In close proximity to the Chinese border, midway between Chinese harbors in the Yellow Sea and cities in the Eastern part of the EU, Alatau City plans to be a major hub connecting technology, transport of goods, and financial services for a major part of the world.
Alatau City development plan presented (video below)
“We are deploying our proven market-entry playbook in Kazakhstan by partnering with both the government and a strategic regional operator to accelerate our path to commercial operations. Kazakhstan is positioning itself to become a key hub for advanced air mobility and the expansion of Joby’s service into the Central Asia region.” – JoeBen Bevirt, CEO and founder of Joby
“Kazakhstan is taking a step into the future of innovative transportation. The purchase of electric 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.” – Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan
“We envision bringing urban air mobility to life in Kazakhstan, beginning with the newly-developed smart city of Alatau and the metropolitan hub of Almaty. Our ambition is to become the region’s first launch customer for eVTOL aircraft, establish a comprehensive testbed and ground infrastructure, and support the Government of Kazakhstan in creating a robust regulatory environment for safe and reliable operations. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with one of the United States’ leading manufacturers of next-generation electric aircraft.” – Sergey Khegay, CEO of Alatau Advance Air Group Ltd
A First for Central Asia
The partnership will see Joby provide aircraft, operational services, and technical expertise to support the rollout of a commercial urban air mobility (UAM) system in Kazakhstan. Alongside the LOI, Joby and Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development (MAIDD) signed an MoU to help shape the nation’s regulatory framework for eVTOL operations.
The agreement also extends into the supply chain: Kazakhstan — rich in titanium, lithium, and rare earth minerals — could become a source of key inputs for Joby’s global manufacturing operations.
Titanium and Rare Earths
In April 2025, Kazakh geologists have discovered a 20 million metric ton deposit of rare earth minerals including neodymium, cerium, lanthanum, and yttrium.
This would put Kazakhstan only behind China and Brazil in rare earth reserves.
- The world’s largest producer of uranium.
- 2nd global producer in chromium, lead, and zinc reserves.
- 3rd global leader in manganese reserves.
- 5th globally in copper reserves.
- Top 10 globally in coal, iron, and gold reserves.
- Since 2022, 11 sites have been mapped that contain rare earth metals, such as beryllium, yttrium, niobium, tungsten, gallium, and cesium.
On November 6, 2025, the same day Joby announced the deal with Alatau City, the Central Asia – United States Summit (C5+1 Summit) took place at the White House. The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart of Tokayev reiterated his commitment to allow American companies to access Kazakhstan’s rare earth minerals.
A Smart City Powered by AI
In his State-of-the-Nation Address this past September, President Kassym‑Jomart Tokayev stressed the importance of advancing artificial intelligence (AI) in Kazakhstan. The new urban project Alatau City will implement “Smart City” architecture powered by AI-technologies. Regulations will be crafted to allow cryptocurrency usage within the Alatau City ecosystem. Furthermore, the President announced a Regulatory Intelligence Centre will receive supercomputing capacity and access to the national AI platform.
“The government is tasked with ensuring the total implementation of artificial intelligence to modernize all sectors of the economy. (…) Based on large-scale digitalization and the active introduction of artificial intelligence, we must modernize the economy. As a first step, we should accelerate the adoption of the Digital Code, which will define the key areas of digitalization, including artificial intelligence, platform economy, the use of big data and other aspects.” – President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
Why the Deal Matters for Joby
For Joby, the Alatau City partnership delivers several major advantages:
1. Geographic Diversification
Until now, Joby’s focus has been largely on the U.S. select Western markets, Korean and Japanese markets. The Alatau deal marks its first major expansion into Central Asia, providing a launchpad for future business in neighboring regions from the Caspian to China.
2. Regulatory Sandbox Potential
Kazakhstan’s willingness to develop new frameworks for UAM gives Joby a regulatory proving ground. With a government eager to lead in digital infrastructure and low-altitude aviation, Joby can accelerate data collection, certification pathways, and commercial testing.
3. Supply-Chain Synergies
By sourcing critical materials locally, Joby could strengthen its materials strategy while supporting Kazakhstan’s resource-to-tech ambitions. It’s a mutually beneficial alignment between raw material supply and high-tech manufacturing.
4. Brand and Investor Momentum
Landing a national-level partnership signals global traction. It reinforces Joby’s narrative as not just an aircraft maker, but as a systems integrator: building the infrastructure, training, and regulatory groundwork for eVTOL ecosystems worldwide.
Joby Aviation
- Headquartered in Santa Cruz, California
- NYSE: JOBY
- major eVTOL manufacturer
- Manufacturer of:
- S4 eVTOL aircraft (all-electric)
- S4-T hybrid-electric eVTOL aircraft
- S4-T hybrid-electric version is currently testing a hydrogen-electric version
- First transition of a full-scale, prototype aircraft on 2017
- First piloted transition flight on April 22, 2025
- Acquired INFRAS in 2021 and the autonomy division of Xwing in 2024
- Received a total of $894 million in investment from Toyota
- Has obtained numerous defense contracts with the Pentagon and collaborates on testing of its eVTOL aircraft
What It Means for Alatau City
For Alatau City, the Joby deal is both a statement of intent and a cornerstone for its identity.
Alatau City, currently under development near Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest urban and financial center is envisioned as a “smart and sustainable” metropolis spanning roughly 88,000 hectares. Designed around four thematic districts (Gate, Golden, Growing, and Green), the city aims to become a regional hub for technology, finance, education, and clean industry.
A Hub for Trade and Technology
Located on the Western Europe–Western China transport corridor, Alatau City sits at the heart of one of Eurasia’s most strategic trade routes. That geography offers direct connectivity to both European and Chinese markets — and positions Alatau as a logistics and innovation gateway.
Joby’s involvement aligns perfectly with the city’s vision for advanced mobility and next-generation logistics. UAM could initially serve the Almaty–Alatau corridor, later expanding into regional air networks linking neighboring cities across Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
Finance, ESG, and the “Green City” Vision
Alatau City is structured as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) with significant investor incentives. The inclusion of eVTOL infrastructure: vertiports, maintenance hubs, and low-altitude flight corridors, which enhances its appeal to global investors seeking exposure to green tech and sustainable mobility.
For Kazakhstan, this partnership also delivers an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) win: electric air taxis support the country’s goal of reducing transport-sector emissions while fostering high-skill employment in aerospace, digital systems, and clean energy.
“Our younger generation must live in happiness and prosperity. To achieve this, we as a single nation must work hard. There is no other choice, since the future of the country and the fate of our people depend on it.” – President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev
Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Responsible for:
- Telecommunications and communications
- Export of IT technologies and digitial solutions
- Electronic industry
- Aerospace Industry
- Artificial intelligence
- Information Security
- Innovations
- Digital Asset Industry
- E-government and public services
Madiyev Zhaslan
- Deputy Prime minister – ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan
- Education:
- 2015 – 2016 – Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Sloan School of Business, Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- 2006 – 2007 – Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs, Master of Public Administration (MPA), Economic Policy Management (“Bolashak” Program)
- 2000 – 2004 – Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Specialist in World Economy and International Finance
Alatau Advance Air Group
- Provides Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions to Kazakhstan
- Focus on Alatau and Almaty cities
Special Economic Zone Alatau
- 96,560 hectares
- Spans the territory of Alatau City and a portion of Konayev City
- 0% taxes and customs duties
- streamlined hiring foreign labor
- free plots of land
- Based on ESG principles
Why Location Matters for Advanced Air Mobility
Alatau City’s greenfield nature means planners can design AAM infrastructure from scratch, integrating vertiports, smart-grid charging, and drone corridors directly into the urban blueprint. Unlike legacy cities that retrofit existing systems, Alatau can embed air mobility into its DNA. It will be interesting to see the outcome of a city that is built from the ground up with air mobility in mind.
Kazakhstan’s geography also adds strategic weight. Its vast territory and growing cities make point-to-point aerial connectivity an appealing complement to ground transport. If Joby and AAAG succeed here, Alatau could become a regional model for scalable AAM — not just for Kazakhstan, but for emerging markets globally.
Kazakhstan: Cities and Nature
Astana
As Kazakhstan’s capital city, Astana does not disappoint with landmarks and architecture such as the Bayterek Tower, Astana Grand Mosque, Palace of Peace and Reconciliation, National Museum of Kazakhstan, and Assumption Cathedral in Astana.
Almaty
Almaty is the largest city in Kazakhstan, and the former capital.
Almaty City, Kazakhstan 🇰🇿 in 4K HDR ULTRA HD 60 FPS Dolby Vision™ Drone Video
Recreation
Wilderness
Kazakhstan’s Mountain of Promise and big STEPPE Towards the Future
Ambitious city-building projects in the region have faced financial and execution challenges before, and Alatau City is no exception. Delivering the infrastructure, from vertiports to regulatory frameworks, will require significant investment and coordination between local authorities and international partners.
Yet, despite these challenges, the political will from Kazakhstan’s president, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, efforts from business leader and Kazakhstan’s most richest man Sergey Khegay, the hard work of Deputy Prime minister – ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Madiyev Zhaslan, Joby CEO and Founder JoeBen Bevirt, and the rest of the Joby team, gives assurance that this collaboration will redefine not just urban mobility, but how emerging economies enter the AAM era.
Stay tuned to eVTOL buzz for the latest deep dives and in-depth articles about Joby and other industry leaders in the AAM space! ✈️
More Info:
Official Press Release: click here
Press Service of the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan: click here
Alatau City official website: click here
SEZ Alatau (official website): click here
Kazakhstan purchases eVTOL electric aircraft to launch air taxi service in Alatau: click here
Kazakhstan says it has discovered 20 million ton rare earth metals deposit: click here
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