Dubai-based airline flydubai, announced today the resumption of flights to Shymkent International Airport (CIT) from 28 February with a twice-weekly service. With the start of flights to Shymkent, flydubai grows its network in Kazakhstan to three destinations including Almaty and the capital, Astana.

Shymkent is southern Kazakhstan’s most lively city with a distinctly Central Asian feel, due to its proximity with neighbouring Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. Shymkent has it all on its doorstep – beautiful mosques and mausoleums, bustling local markets, rivers and mountains, untouched wilderness and monuments to more modern history too. It’s an intriguing blend.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “Kazakhstan has long been an important market since we first launched operations to Almaty in 2014. In 2022 we carried almost 300,000 passengers between the UAE and Kazakhstan, an increased figure of 145% compared to 2019, and we look forward to strengthening trade and cultural relations with the start of flights to Shymkent.”

The UAE and Kazakhstan have a long history of trade relations in which they cooperate together in several economic sectors including mining, agriculture, oil and gas, and construction. Kazakhstan is Central Asia’s most economically advanced nation. Its largest city Almaty is reminiscent of Europe with its avenues, many cafes and modern shopping centres. Visit Zenkov Cathedral, an architectural marvel constructed from wood. Kazakhstan also enjoys stunning landscapes of lakes and mountain ranges. Fans of the outdoors are spoilt for choice with several hiking trails including those around the Zailiski Alatau mountains south of Almaty and from the Big Almaty Lake.

Commenting on the start of flights, Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said: “we are excited to see our network grow in Kazakhstan with Shymkent as our third destination which will serve a total frequency of 22 weekly flights. This frequency will increase to 26 weekly flights from February and will offer our customers in Kazakhstan more convenient and reliable options to explore the UAE and beyond.”

After Almaty and Astana, Shymkent is the third largest city in Kazakhstan and is a major cultural centre that features bustling bazaars, ancient architecture and natural scenery. flydubai expands its network in the Central Asian region to ten points, providing passengers from the UAE and the region with more options for travel. This includes Almaty, Ashgabat, Astana, Bishkek, Dushanbe, Namangan, Osh, Samarkand, Shymkent and Tashkent.

Flight details

Flights between Terminal 2, Dubai International (DXB) and Shymkent International Airport (CIT) will operate twice a week. Emirates will codeshare on this route offering passengers more options to travel through Dubai’s international aviation hub.

Flight Number

Departure Airport

Arrival Airport

Departure Day

Departure Time

Arrival Time

FZ 765

DXB

CIT

Tuesdays

21:10

02:40

FZ 765

DXB

CIT

Fridays

22:20

03:50

FZ 766

CIT

DXB

Wednesdays

03:40

05:40

FZ 766

CIT

DXB

Saturdays

04:50

06:50

All times local. Flights are available to book on flydubai.com, the official flydubai App, the Contact Centre in Dubai on (+971) 600 54 44 45, the flydubai travel shops or through our travel partners.

From its home in Dubai, flydubai has created a network of more than 110 destinations served by a fleet of 72 aircraft. Since commencing operations in June 2009, flydubai has been committed to removing barriers to travel, creating free flows of trade and tourism and enhancing connectivity between different cultures across its ever-expanding network.

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