New Route of the Day (3 November 2025): SCAT Airlines between Astana and Belgrade
Kazakhstan’s SCAT Airlines commenced flights between Astana and Belgrade on Monday 3 November. The 3,805-kilometre route will be maintained 2-weekly, on Mondays and Thursdays, using the 737-800 aircraft. The inaugural service was the exception, with a 737 MAX 8 deployed for the first flight. It marks the first time the two capitals have been linked with a scheduled air service.
Flight DV817 departs Astana at 00:40 local time, arriving in Belgrade at 02:20 local time. The return service, operating as flight DV818, takes off at 03:40 local time, touching back down in Kazakhstan’s capital at 13:20 local time.
What they said
Viktor Kortokov, Route Management Department Head at SCAT Airlines, said, “We want to offer passengers a comfortable travel experience. We are not only strengthening the link between Kazakhstan and Serbia but also connecting Kazakhstan with the entire Balkans and Central Asia, as well as other countries we serve with direct flights.”
Madi Atamkulov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Serbia, added: “This direct flight is not merely a new transport route – it is a bridge connecting the people of our two nations and opening fresh opportunities for cooperation across many fields. Next year will mark 30 years since diplomatic relations were established between Kazakhstan and Serbia.”
Belgrade Airport restores Central Asia connectivity
The launch of flights between Astana and Belgrade mark the first time in 21 years that the Serbian capital has been linked with central Asia. Uzbekistan Airways was the last carrier from the region to operate flights to Belgrade, back in 2004, as a stopover on its service to New York JFK.
SCAT Airlines is a privately-owned Kazakh carrier with a growing network of primarily regional and medium-haul routes across Central Asia, the Caucasus, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Founded in 1997, the airline has gradually expanded its international footprint and has become increasingly active in pursuing new markets and fifth-freedom opportunities to bridge flows between Asia and Europe. SCAT operates a fleet of Boeing aircraft, including 737 MAX jets.
In addition to direct point-to-point flying, SCAT is now actively using strategic stopover points to feed and develop new flows, particularly to and from Europe. It is in ongoing negotiations to advance its newly launched Astana – Belgrade service by securing fifth-freedom rights between Belgrade and Morocco.
