Shymkent Airport (CIT)
Shymkent, KZ 🇰🇿 Medium Airport Scheduled Service
ICAO
UAII
IATA
CIT
Elevation
1385 ft
Region
KZ-YUZ
Local Time
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GPS Code: UAII
Local Code: Not available
Location: 42.364201° N, 69.478897° E
Continent: Asia
Type: Medium Airport
Keywords: Chimkent Airport Аэропорт Шымкент Аэропорт Чимкент
What Travelers Say
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Online Reviews Summary
Shymkent Airport (UAII (CIT)) has recently undergone significant modernization with the opening of a new terminal in December 2024, aiming to substantially improve traveler experiences. While older reviews often cited issues with facilities and cleanliness, the new infrastructure suggests a positive shift in overall traveler sentiment, particularly for those experiencing the updated airport. The airport is generally seen as a key regional transport hub.
What Travelers Love
- Efficient Security and Immigration: Travelers highly value the efficiency of security and immigration processes, with average wait times estimated at around 28-29 minutes for security screening and 8 minutes for passport control.
- Modern and Spacious New Terminal: The new terminal, which opened in December 2024, is described as beautiful, large, spacious, and comfortable, equipped with modern amenities like escalators, elevators, jet bridges, and travelators. This significantly enhances the airport's capacity and passenger experience.
- Good Transportation Connections: The airport is conveniently located about 11 km from the city center, with readily available buses (lines 12, 12a, 12b) and taxis providing a 15-20 minute journey. Private transfer services are also an option.
- Strategic Regional Hub: Shymkent Airport is recognized as a crucial transport hub in Southern Kazakhstan, offering connections to numerous national and international destinations.
Common Complaints
- Weak Overall Service (Historical): Prior to the new terminal, the airport received an average rating of 5.3/10, indicating weak service, with particular dissatisfaction regarding general services and cleanliness. Many older reviews specifically mentioned dirty conditions and terrible toilets.
- Airline Staff Incompetence: Some travelers have reported issues with the competence of airline staff, particularly at check-in counters.
- Queues and Waiting Times: Historical complaints include long queues at check-in, security, and passport control. While security and immigration times are generally efficient, the overall waiting experience, including at registration, has been a source of frustration.
- Limited Amenities (Historical): Older reviews noted a lack of specific facilities such as a dedicated mother and child room and a prayer room, despite signage. Ratings for WiFi, food and retail services, and lounges also indicated areas for improvement.
- Parking Issues: Travelers have experienced issues with parking, including long waits at the barrier.
The recent opening of the new terminal at Shymkent Airport marks a significant upgrade, aiming to address many past concerns regarding facilities and passenger comfort. While historical complaints highlight areas like cleanliness and overall service, the modernized infrastructure and efficient security processes are notable strengths. Travelers should be aware of potential inconsistencies with airline staff and parking challenges, but the overall outlook for traveler satisfaction is expected to improve with the new terminal's full operational capacity.
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Airport Routes
Shymkent Airport (CIT) offers 44 flight routes operated by 9 airlines. Major carriers include SCAT Airlines, FlyArystan, Air Astana and others. Popular destinations from Shymkent include Almaty, Nursultan Nazarbayev Int'l, Aktyubinsk, Aktau and King Abdulaziz Int'l.
Route Network Map
Top Routes (by observations)
- Almaty (ALA) 3
- Nursultan Nazarbayev Int'l (NQZ) 3
- Aktyubinsk (AKX) 2
- Aktau (SCO) 2
- King Abdulaziz Int'l (JED) 2
- Istanbul Airport (IST) 2
- Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) 2
- Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz (MED) 2
- Atyrau (GUW) 2
- Zhezkazgan (DZN) 2
- Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l (SAW) 1
- Cairo Int'l (CAI) 1
Newly Discovered
- Istanbul Airport (IST) new
- Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Int'l (SAW) new
- Nursultan Nazarbayev Int'l (NQZ) new
- Almaty (ALA) new
- Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) new
- Aktau (SCO) new
- Petropavl (PPK) new
- Novosibirsk Tolmachevo (OVB) new
- Aktyubinsk (AKX) new
- Antalya (AYT) new
- Urumqi Diwopu Int'l (URC) new
- Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz (MED) new
Popular Flight Routes
| Destination | IATA | City | Aircraft Type | Airline | Details | Route Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Top Airlines
Operating at Shymkent AirportAirlines by Flight Activity
Based on observed flight operations and route network| Airline | Routes | Flights | Destinations | Last Activity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
SCAT Airlines
VSV
/ DV
|
23 | 485 | 23 | Feb 3, 2026 |
|
FlyArystan
AYN
/ FS
|
8 | 362 | 8 | Feb 3, 2026 |
|
Air Astana
KZR
/ KC
|
3 | 47 | 3 | Feb 3, 2026 |
Pegasus Airlines
PGT
/ PC
|
2 | 23 | 2 | Feb 3, 2026 |
Turkish Airlines
THY
/ TK
|
1 | 16 | 1 | Jan 31, 2026 |
FlyDubai
FDB
/ FZ
|
1 | 13 | 1 | Jan 20, 2026 |
|
Qazaq Air
QAZ
/ IQ
|
2 | 9 | 2 | Dec 29, 2025 |
Aeroflot
AFL
/ SU
|
1 | 9 | 1 | Jan 2, 2026 |
S7 Airlines
SBI
/ S7
|
1 | 7 | 1 | Jan 31, 2026 |
For Pilots
| Designation | Length | Width | Surface | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10/28 |
9186 ft | 144 ft | CON | Active Lighted |
| Type | Description | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| TWR | TWR | 118.7 MHz |
Ground Transportation
Taxis
Official airport taxis are available directly outside the arrivals terminal. For potentially lower and more predictable fares, using a ride-hailing app like Yandex Go is a popular and recommended option. The trip to the city center usually takes about 20-30 minutes. It is advisable to use official services or apps to avoid overcharging.
Rental Cars
Several local and some international car rental companies have desks inside the airport's arrivals hall. It is highly recommended to book a car in advance online to secure availability and get better rates. Providers like AmiGo and other local agencies offer services at the airport.
Public Transportation
City buses offer the most budget-friendly way to travel to the city center. Bus routes #12, #12A, and #12B connect the airport with various parts of Shymkent. The bus stop is located just outside the terminal. Payment is typically made in cash (Kazakhstani Tenge - KZT) to the driver or conductor. Service frequency may be reduced in the late evening and at night.
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