Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) will begin operating regular direct flights between Baku and Shymkent starting in June, strengthening air connectivity between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

Tickets for the new route are already available, with the inaugural Baku-Shymkent-Baku flight scheduled for June 16, The Caspian Post reports via local media.

Flights to Operate Up to Three Times Weekly

According to the airline, flights will initially run twice a week-from June 16 to June 27-on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Beginning June 30, the frequency will increase to three weekly flights, offering greater flexibility for travelers.

Under the updated schedule:

Flights from Baku to Shymkent will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

Return flights from Shymkent to Baku will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays

Shymkent Becomes AZAL’s Fourth Destination in Kazakhstan

Shymkent will become the fourth Kazakh city served by AZAL, joining Almaty, Astana, and Aktau in the airline’s expanding regional network.

In 2025 alone, AZAL operated around 850 regular flights to and from Kazakhstan, highlighting strong demand for travel between the two countries.

New Route Opens Global Travel Opportunities

The launch of direct flights will not only make travel between Shymkent and Baku more convenient but will also provide passengers with access to AZAL’s extensive international network via its Baku hub.

Travelers from Shymkent will be able to connect to major global destinations, including Istanbul, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Milan, London, Prague, and other cities across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

The new route is expected to boost tourism, business travel, and regional connectivity, further strengthening economic and cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.