Kazakhstan's SCAT Airlines Launches Singapore–Shymkent Flights via Sanya

On 20 October 2026, Kazakh airline SCAT Airlines launched a new twice-weekly passenger service connecting Singapore's Changi Airport with Shymkent, Kazakhstan's third-largest city, via a stopover in Sanya, China. The route is operated on a Boeing 737 MAX 8 and takes approximately 11.5 hours in total: roughly three hours from Singapore to Sanya, a two-hour transit, and then a 6.5-hour leg onward to Shymkent. Crucially, travellers transiting Sanya will not be required to pass through Chinese passport control, reducing hassle on the long journey. The launch marks Changi Airport's first regular connection to Central Asia since 2019, and opens a new gateway for travellers interested in Shymkent's historical sites, mountainous landscapes, and convenient access to neighbouring Uzbekistan. SCAT Airlines is targeting both leisure travellers and the significant Kazakh diaspora community in Southeast Asia. Flights can be booked via SCAT's own website.