Azerbaijan’s national carrier, Azerbaijan Airlines, has successfully operated its inaugural flight on the new route connecting Baku and Shymkent, marking a significant milestone in air connectivity between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan.

The launch of the new route is expected to strengthen tourism, business relations, and humanitarian cooperation between the two countries while expanding travel opportunities across the region, The Caspian Post reports via Report.

Under AZAL’s summer schedule, flights on the Baku-Shymkent-Baku route will operate twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, from June 16 to June 27, 2026.

Starting June 30, the airline will increase frequency to three flights per week. Departures from Baku will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while return flights from Shymkent will operate on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

To celebrate the opening of the route, a special event was held in Shymkent, bringing together media representatives as well as stakeholders from the tourism and aviation industries. Participants were introduced to the city’s tourism potential, cultural heritage, and modern infrastructure.