SCAT Airlines, Kazakhstan’s second-largest carrier, is set to launch its first flight to the Schengen zone from its home airport in Shymkent. Starting May 27, the airline will operate a twice-weekly service to Budapest, Hungary, with a Boeing 737 MAX-8, covering the journey in approximately five and a half hours.
“This new route to Shymkent is a significant milestone for Budapest Airport, further strengthening air connections between Central Asia and Hungary,” said Francois Berisot, CEO of Budapest Airport. “We are thrilled to welcome SCAT Airlines to Budapest and look forward to the launch of this flight that benefits both leisure and business travelers while creating new opportunities for tourism, trade, and economic cooperation.”
Currently, Shymkent's only European destination is Istanbul, Turkey, which is outside the Schengen zone. SCAT operates flights to Istanbul Airport (IST), while Pegasus Airlines serves Shymkent from Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW).
SCAT already flies to the Schengen area with its Astana–Prague route, which will see an increase in flight frequency by late May. Additionally, the airline is considering launching an Astana–Vienna service during the summer navigation period.
The expansion comes as Kazakhstan seeks to strengthen air connectivity with Europe following the European Union’s full removal of restrictions on Kazakh airlines earlier this year. The new passenger terminal at Shymkent Airport, built and operated by SCAT, became operational at the end of 2024, significantly increasing the airport’s capacity. International flights from the terminal are expected to commence early this year.
SCAT Airlines is also set to participate in the MRO Central Asia 2025 conference, the region’s largest event on aircraft maintenance, scheduled for March 18–19 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
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