Orders being delivered by air to Astana residents – what's happening
Witnesses expressed amazement at the sight, filming the devices from windows and streets while trying to understand what exactly has been launched in the capital.
"Astana, what is this? Have they launched drones?" one video creator asks.
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Others are already joking about the future arriving and the dawn of a new era in delivery.
"Now we'll be getting our coffee from the sky," one user wrote.
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Post by Badina Rakhimzhanova (@badina_r_)
The footage shows a drone approaching a specialized station, descending to a terminal to drop off a package, and then soaring back into the air. Some residents managed to not only watch the flights but also test the delivery service themselves.
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"You place an order, and a few minutes later, you see it descending from the sky. It feels like being in a sci-fi movie," shared the author of one video.
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Social media also featured footage of the drones being prepared for flight. An employee scans the device and the box, secures the cargo, and sends it off on a pre-programmed route.
According to a project representative, the drone cannot change its path independently. After delivery, it returns to the base station.
"The manager scans the drone's ID and then the QR code on the box, attaches it, and hits the start button. It flies out, delivers the cargo to the kiosk, and returns home," the man in the video explained.
QR codes installed at the stations help the aircraft land precisely. As it approaches, the drone identifies the marker and adjusts its position, even if slightly buffeted by the wind.
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It turns out these are test flights for delivery drones in Astana. The service is planned to launch for attendees of the "Games of the Future," which will be held in the capital from July 31 to August 9.
@yevhenii_az???? Delivery from the sky in minutes? It looks like the future has already arrived ????♬ original sound - Yevhenii Abu-Zeyd
Orders can be placed near several sports venues: Alau, Barys Arena, the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace, and the Qazaqstan Athletic Complex. The menu includes snacks, drinks, and souvenirs, with payments accepted via card or QR code.
According to those involved in the testing, the delivery takes approximately 8 minutes.
For now, this remains a pilot project. It has not been announced whether drone delivery will become a permanent service in Astana after the competition concludes.
Drones previously tested in Alatau
In May, Alatau hosted a presentation of future air transport, showcasing delivery drones in action and conducting a test flight of an air taxi.
One of the systems presented delivered orders to specialized street terminals. After a user placed a purchase via an app, the drone transported the box to a locker for pickup. Another device demonstrated cargo delivery directly to the recipient.
At the time, project representatives stated that unmanned delivery testing could begin in partnership with one of Kazakhstan's major retail chains as early as 2026.
Passenger air taxis are slated for a later launch, with the first commercial flights expected no earlier than late 2028 or early 2029. The timeline will depend on aircraft certification, the preparation of landing pads, and the approval of safe flight routes.