Boeing and Kazakhstan-based SCAT Airlines announced an order for five 737-9 jets, previously listed as unidentified in Boeing’s backlog. The carrier also converted five earlier 737-8 orders to the larger 737-9 variant, shifting a total of ten aircraft to the higher-capacity configuration.
The 737-9, the largest variant of the 737 MAX family currently in service, offers up to 220 seats and a range of approximately 6,110 kilometers. This enables SCAT to operate longer single-aisle routes from Central Asia to Europe and other regions, including potential seventh-freedom operations between foreign countries.
SCAT, which operates nearly 40 Boeing aircraft and was the first Central Asian carrier to fly the 737 MAX, currently has nine 737-8s and five 737-9s in service. The fleet expansion addresses rising passenger demand and supports growth in international services.
Vladimir Denissov, president of SCAT Airlines, stated that the update enhances seating capacity per flight and improves schedule reliability as the airline expands its network.
The announcement came from Shymkent, Kazakhstan, on April 29, 2026.