Kazakhstan is laying the groundwork for drone-based cargo deliveries, with the first successful tests already completed and formal pilot training now under way, Kursiv reported on May 24. 

The initiative is spearheaded by Freedom Lifestyle Group through its Freedom SuperApp, which currently serves over 2mn users.

Alexey Lee, CEO of Freedom Lifestyle Group, discussed the company’s drone logistics vision during a recent appearance on the nFactorial podcast. He described how the company has begun developing Kazakhstan’s first delivery drone pilot training programme, citing a lack of existing infrastructure as a major obstacle to wider implementation. 

“When we began exploring the topic, we learned that delivery drones fall into the third class of drones,” Lee said, noting that these drones require specialised licences. “Operators of third-class drones need a licence, which requires passing an exam. However, that’s currently not possible in Kazakhstan because no formal training courses exist in the country. That’s where we decided to start.”

In cooperation with the Civil Aviation Academy, Freedom has launched a training course that covers both theoretical and practical instruction. The first cohort has already completed the academic portion of the programme, but regulatory hurdles remain.

“There are no established rules for taking these exams,” Lee said, pointing to the absence of a certified testing facility and a need for designated airspace rules. “Additionally, the Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan and Kazaeronavigatsiya need to regulate issues concerning the authorisation and restriction of drone flights.”

Kazakhstan’s aviation authorities are currently reviewing airspace regulations and certification frameworks to address the growing use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for commercial purposes.

Freedom’s vision includes fully autonomous deliveries, where human operators intervene only during landing or to secure packages with electric hoists.