Boeing said that Kazakhstan’s SCAT Airlines has ordered five additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, as part of efforts to expand capacity and extend its international route network.

In a press release issued Wednesday, Boeing said the order—previously unidentified—covers five 737-9 jets, while the carrier has also converted five earlier orders for smaller 737-8 aircraft into the larger variant. The move is aimed at boosting operational efficiency and enabling longer-range services, including additional routes to Europe.

SCAT Airlines said it plans to use the expanded 737-9 fleet to operate longer-haul flights from Kazakhstan and develop so-called seventh-freedom routes linking destinations across Europe and Asia. The airline recently launched a Prague–Sanya service via Bishkek, connecting the Czech Republic and China on a journey exceeding 14 hours.

“This fleet update allows SCAT Airlines to better meet growing passenger demand while maintaining the flexibility to serve a diverse and expanding route network,” said Vladimir Denissov, adding that the shift to larger aircraft would increase seating capacity and improve schedule reliability.

The 737-9 variant can carry up to 220 passengers and offers a range of around 6,110 kilometres, while the 737 MAX family is designed to reduce fuel consumption by about 20 percent compared with older models. Boeing said the aircraft’s efficiency and range would help airlines expand networks while lowering operating costs.

Paul Righi, Boeing’s vice president for Commercial Sales and Marketing in Eurasia, India and South Asia, said the order underscores the “versatility and economic advantages” of the 737 MAX family in supporting airline growth strategies.

Based in Shymkent, SCAT Airlines operates nearly 40 Boeing aircraft and was the first carrier in Central Asia to introduce the 737 MAX. It currently flies nine 737-8 and five 737-9 jets across domestic and regional routes.

The latest order reflects rising demand for air travel in Central Asia and increasing competition among airlines to expand connectivity between Europe and Asia. Additional aircraft deliveries are expected to support SCAT’s network growth, with industry observers likely to monitor how the carrier leverages extended-range narrowbody jets to develop new long-haul and transit markets.

Source: Boeing PR