By the instruction of the Head of State, a direct air connection has been launched between the capitals of Kazakhstan and Serbia, DKNews.kz reports.
A ceremonial event marking the inauguration of the new route was attended by Vice Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Talgat Lastayev, President of SCAT Airlines Vladimir Denisov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Serbia to Kazakhstan Vladimir Jovčić, and First Deputy Chairman of the Board of Nursultan Nazarbayev International Airport Ruslan Pyshtanov.
The agreement to open the direct route was reached during the official visit of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to Serbia. The project was made possible with the support of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Serbia.
Upon the aircraft’s arrival in Belgrade, the Kazakh delegation was welcomed—on behalf of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić - by Speaker of the National Assembly of Serbia Ana Brnabić and Deputy Minister of Transport Verica Ečmenica.
“The launch of direct air service between Astana and Belgrade is an important step in strengthening ties between Kazakhstan and Serbia. This new route will open up greater opportunities for business, tourism, and cultural cooperation between our peoples,” said Vice Minister Talgat Lastayev in his remarks.
Kazakhstan and Serbia maintain a visa-free regime. The flight duration is 5 hours and 40 minutes. Passenger demand on this route is expected to be high - 92 passengers were on board the inaugural flight.
Flights on the Astana–Belgrade–Astana route will operate twice a week (on Mondays and Thursdays) using modern Boeing 737 aircraft.
Currently, SCAT Airlines also operates flights to several other European destinations:
- Astana – Prague: twice a week (Tuesdays, Saturdays)
- Shymkent – Budapest: twice a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays)
- Shymkent – Munich: twice a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays)
