SCAT Airlines

SCAT Airlines is a Kazakhstani airline headquartered in Shymkent. Here’s a detailed overview:

Key Information:

• IATA Code: DV
• ICAO Code: VSV
• Hub Airports:
  • Shymkent International Airport (CIT)
  • Almaty International Airport (ALA)
  • Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport (NQZ, Astana)

History:

• Founded in 1997, SCAT started as a small regional carrier and expanded to domestic and international flights.
• The name "SCAT" originally stood for "Special Cargo Air Transport" but now operates passenger services.

Fleet (as of 2023):

SCAT operates a mix of Boeing and regional aircraft, including:

• Boeing 737 (737-300, 737-500, 737-800, 737 MAX 8)
• Bombardier CRJ200
• De Havilland Dash 8

Destinations:

• Domestic: Major Kazakh cities like Almaty, Astana, Aktau, Atyrau, and Shymkent.
• International: Russia (Moscow, Sochi), Turkey (Istanbul), UAE (Dubai), China (Ürümqi), and others.

Safety Record:

• SCAT has faced incidents, including a fatal crash in 2013 (Flight 760, near Kokshetau).
• Banned from EU operations (2009–2014) due to safety concerns but later reinstated after improvements.

Services:

• Economy class only on most flights.
• Focus on budget travel within Central Asia and connections to Russia/China.

Controversies:

• Criticized for aging aircraft and maintenance standards in the past.
• EU blacklist history (now lifted).

Recent News:

• Expanding routes post-COVID, including flights to Georgia and Uzbekistan.
• Gradually modernizing fleet with Boeing 737 MAX.

For bookings or updates, visit their official website.

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