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

Airlines

Destinations

Aeroflot

Moscow–Sheremetyevo

Air Astana

Almaty, Astana, London–Heathrow

Azerbaijan Airlines

Baku

FlyArystan

Almaty, Aqtobe, Astana, Atyrau, Baku, Doha (begins 4 November 2023),[4] Istanbul, Qarağandy, Kutaisi, Oral, Şymkent, Yerevan
Seasonal: Antalya, Medina

Kish Air

Gorgan

Qazaq Air

Atyrau

Red Wings Airlines

Moscow–Zhukovsky, Yekaterinburg

Rossiya Airlines

Sochi

SCAT Airlines

Almaty, Aqtobe, Astana, Astrakhan, Atyrau, Baku, Istanbul, Kökşetau, Makhachkala, Mineralnye Vody, Moscow–Vnukovo, Nukus, Oral, Ras Al Khaimah, Saint Petersburg, Şymkent, Tbilisi, Turkistan, Urgench, Yerevan
Seasonal: Batumi

Sunday Airlines

Seasonal Charter: Antalya, Sharm El Sheikh

Turkish Airlines

Istanbul

Uzbekistan Airways

Nukus, Urgench

Aktau International Airport (IATA: SCO, ICAO: UATE) is a key aviation hub in western Kazakhstan, serving the city of Aktau and the broader Mangystau Region. Situated approximately 21 kilometers northwest of Aktau, the airport plays a vital role in connecting the region to both domestic and international destinations. 

 

✈️ Overview

Opened: 1983 (originally named Shevchenko-Central)

Operator: JSC “Aqtau International Airport”

Runway: One asphalt runway (11/29), 3,052 meters in length

Terminal Capacity: Accommodates up to 450 passengers per hour

Elevation: 22 meters above sea level

Time Zone: AQTT (UTC+5) 

 

The airport is equipped with modern facilities, including electronic check-in systems, passenger boarding bridges, HVAC systems, X-ray scanners, CCTV surveillance, elevators, and escalators, ensuring a comfortable experience for travelers. 

🛫 Airlines and Destinations

Aktau International Airport serves as a focus city for SCAT Airlines and is regularly served by several other carriers:

 

SCAT Airlines: Offers flights to domestic destinations like Almaty and Astana, as well as international routes to cities such as Moscow and Baku.

Air Astana: Provides connections to major Kazakh cities including Almaty, Atyrau, and Astana.

Aeroflot: Operates flights to Moscow.

Qazaq Air: Serves various domestic routes.

Belavia and Sunday Airlines: Offer seasonal flights to select destinations.  

📊 Passenger Traffic

In 2018, Aktau International Airport handled approximately 1,023,900 passengers, making it the third-busiest airport in Kazakhstan after Almaty and Astana airports. 

🛠️ Upcoming Developments

Please note that major runway repairs are scheduled from May 15 to July 31, 2025. Travelers should check with their airlines for any potential changes to flight schedules during this period. 

For more information on flight schedules, services, and facilities, visit the official Aktau International Airport website.