Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Kazakhstan’s Alatau Advance Air Group (AAAG) is expanding its plans to operate eVTOL aircraft made by Chinese start-up AutoFlight. On May 20, the companies signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the sale of 50 aircraft, including a mix of AutoFlight’s V2000 and V5000 models.
The deal is part of a broader plan to launch new air services in Alatau, a development near Almaty, Kazakhstan’s largest city. AAAG has financial backing from the Alatau City Bank. Earlier this month, the Kazakh government approved legislation to establish a high-technology cluster focused on the so-called low-altitude economy.
According to Vyacheslav Kim, a shareholder in Alatau City Bank, support from Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is giving momentum to the development of urban air mobility in Central Asia. AAAG and the bank are now seeking foreign investment to expand their plans, which include the construction of a vertiport in Alatau.&nbsp;The group also <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-11-06/kazakhstan-joins-evtol-race-250-million-joby-deal">signed a letter of intent with Joby Aviation</a> in November 2025 for up to $250 million in aircraft and services.
The signing of the agreement followed a flight demonstration by AutoFlight of its four-passenger, single-pilot V2000EM Prosperity eVTOL aircraft, which is expected to operate on routes of around 200 kilometers (108 nm).
In February, the Chinese manufacturer unveiled a full-scale prototype of a larger, five-tonne eVTOL model, which it referred to as the V5000. A passenger variant known as the V5000 Sky Dragon would be able to carry up to 10 passengers, whereas the V5000 Matrix cargo variant would transport around 1,500 kilograms of freight.
AutoFlight achieved Chinese <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-04-04/autoflight-delivers-first-prosperity-evtol-and-certifies">type certification for the V2000CG CarryAll</a> freighter variant in 2024. It already has provisional export orders from customers, including <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-11-04/falcon-aviation-services-orders-50-autoflight-aircraft">Falcon Aviation Services</a> in Abu Dhabi.

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Kazakhstan’s Alatau Advance Air Group Signs for 50 AutoFlight eVTOLs

Partners plan air taxi services near Almaty

With backing from its local bank and Kazakhstan's government, Alatau Advance Air Group plans to operate Chinese-made AutoFlight eVTOL aircraft.

Kazakh Operator Inks Deal for 50 AutoFlight eVTOLs

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

OEM expects smoother E-Jet delivery cadence in 2027 

Embraer’s Commercial Backlog Soars as E-Jet Output Climbs 

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Greene Tweed says reworkable tooling cuts lead times in half

Swapping Metal for Thermoplastics Speeds Prototyping

Chad Trautvetter

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Latest refresh of light jet adds more safety, range, and payload

Autoland Makes New Phenom 300EV Even More Phenomenal

David Donald

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

In this article

AutoFlight

More In Aircraft

Embraer’s Commercial Backlog Soars as E-Jet Output Climbs

OEM expects smoother E-Jet delivery cadence in 2027

Swapping Metal for Thermoplastics Speeds Prototyping

Greene Tweed says reworkable tooling cuts lead times in half

Autoland Makes New Phenom 300EV Even More Phenomenal

Latest refresh of light jet adds more safety, range, and payload

Sweden’s Air Force Marks 100 Years of Service

NATO newcomer rearms against resurgent Russia

777X Changes Force Boeing to Relearn Hard Lessons

777X change issues is a crisis four decades in the making

Trump Holds off on Aero Tariffs but Directs Negotiations

Proclamation cites national security concerns

Sora Aviation Completes Subscale S-1 eVTOL Testing

UK start-up says 30-passenger all-electric aircraft could enter service in 2031

AircraftExchange Listing Platform Teams Up with CJP

IADA’s AircraftExchange and CJP will link to each other on their respective websites

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN