Aktau International Airport

Aktau International Airport (IATA: SCO, ICAO: UATE), known as "Halyqaralyq Aqtau Äuejaiy" in Kazakh, was formerly referred to as Shevchenko-Central. This significant international airport is situated in the Mangystau Region of Kazakhstan and serves as the primary international gateway for the city of Aqtau.

Aktau International Airport holds several distinctions, including being the eighth-busiest international air passenger gateway into Central Asia. Within the Post-Soviet states, it ranks as the 50th-busiest airport, and in Kazakhstan, it is the fourth-busiest. The airport is positioned 21 kilometers (13 miles) to the northwest of Aqtau.

The airport comprises one passenger terminal and one runway to manage the flow of flights and passengers. It is notably a focus city for SCAT Airlines, which contributes to its prominence in regional air travel.

Aktau International Airport enjoys year-round services from carriers like Aeroflot, Air Astana, SCAT Airlines, Qazaq Air, and additionally, on a seasonal basis, from Belavia and Sunday Airlines.

Originally opened in 1983 as Shevchenko-Central, the airport bore the name Shevchenko Airport for many years. The current IATA code, SCO, is derived from the city's previous name, Shevchenko, before it was renamed to Aqtau.

Passenger