SCAT Airlines Launches Direct Karaganda-Shymkent Flights in Late May

SCAT Airlines has announced a new direct route between Karaganda and Shymkent. The service begins on May 26, with tickets now available for purchase. Flights will run twice weekly, offering a quicker connection between the two cities. The route will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Tuesdays, the Boeing 737 will depart Karaganda at 9:00 AM. Thursday flights leave later, at 11:00 PM.

Passengers can expect a journey time of 2 hours and 15 minutes. Ticket prices start at 27,463 tenge, equivalent to around $58.

This launch follows a broader trend of expanding Central Asian air links. Earlier this year, Air Samarkand announced plans for new direct flights between Sanya (China) and Samarkand. That agreement was signed at ITB Berlin in March 2026, focusing on route optimisation and joint promotion. The Karaganda-Shymkent service provides a new travel option for passengers in Kazakhstan. With twice-weekly flights and competitive fares, the route aims to improve regional connectivity. The first departures are set for late May, with bookings already open.