Kazakhstan’s SCAT boosts 737MAX fleet to 12 aircraft

Image: SCAT Airlines

SCAT Airlines, Kazakhstan’s largest privately held carrier, has further strengthened its narrowbody capabilities with the delivery of its latest Boeing 737MAX-8. The arrival brings the airline’s total MAX fleet to 12 aircraft.

The aircraft, registered as UP-B3746 (msn 61832), arrived at the airline’s Shymkent hub on November 13, following a ferry flight directly from Boeing’s Everett facility.

While the airframe is currently not in revenue operations, it is currently on static display at the Dubai Airshow 2025. The appearance is a symbolic homecoming for the type; it was at this very event two years ago that the airline placed an order for additional MAX family aircraft).

The 737MAX is positioned as the backbone of SCAT’s future operations, with an induction schedule outlined to scale capacity through 2028. The carrier plans to receive two additional MAX-8s in 2026, followed by two -8s and two larger -9s in 2027. The expansion will culminate in 2028 with the delivery of five MAX 9 aircraft.

This fleet growth coincides with significant infrastructure upgrades, most notably the opening of a new terminal at Shymkent Airport, which is managed by the airline. This synergy between fleet and facility has enabled SCAT to launch 11 new international routes this year alone. The expansion focuses on connecting Shymkent to international destinations, including Munich, Budapest, Seoul, Shanghai, Urumqi, Xi’an, Bangkok, Tbilisi, and Krasnoyarsk.

Additionally, the carrier has introduced new point-to-point international links from the country’s major gateways, including Astana to Belgrade and Almaty to Minsk.