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.

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