SCAT Airlines Begins Construction on Central Asia's Largest MRO Facility

Construction has commenced on a new aircraft Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) center in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, a project poised to become the largest of its kind in Central Asia. The facility is a joint initiative between Kazakhstan's SCAT Airlines and Boeing. According to project details, the groundbreaking ceremony took place on February 27, 2026.

The development marks a significant step in Kazakhstan's strategy to bolster its domestic aviation capabilities and reduce its dependency on foreign MRO providers. The new Shymkent-based center is designed to service a range of Boeing aircraft for both domestic and international carriers, positioning the country as a key technical hub in a rapidly expanding regional market.

Facility Specifications and Capabilities

According to the Ministry of Transport of Kazakhstan, the new MRO facility will be built on a 10-hectare site. The complex will feature over 45,000 square meters of engineering and technical infrastructure, including hangars, workshops, and administrative offices. A dedicated aircraft parking area will cover more than six hectares.

Upon opening, the center will be equipped to perform complex maintenance checks on several widely used Boeing models. Initial capabilities will cover the Boeing 737 (Classic, NG, and MAX variants), Boeing 757, and Boeing 767. There are also stated plans to expand services in the future to include wide-body aircraft, specifically the Boeing 777.

This investment is a strategic move for SCAT Airlines, which was founded in 1997 and operates a fleet reported to be between 31 and 37 aircraft. The airline became a full member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in March 2018, underscoring its integration into global aviation standards.

Strategic Importance for Central Asia

The project aligns with significant growth trends in the region's aviation sector. The MRO Central Asia 2025 Analytical Overview projects annual growth for the Central Asian aviation market at nearly 6%. This growth is fueled by expanding fleets and rising passenger traffic, which in Kazakhstan reached 31.8 million passengers in 2025, as reported by the Ministry of Transport.

Furthermore, data from the MRO Central Asia Kazakhstan Conference indicates that the country's commercial aircraft fleet is projected to more than double by 2030, growing from 109 to 221 aircraft. The new MRO center is critical infrastructure needed to support this expansion, allowing for complex maintenance tasks to be performed domestically. This localization is expected to lower operational costs, reduce aircraft downtime, and retain technical service revenue within the country.

During a meeting with Boeing's leadership, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev described the agreement as a project of "utmost importance" for the development of the nation's aviation industry. He noted that local carriers, including Air Astana and SCAT, are interested in advancing joint projects with the American manufacturer.

What Comes Next

With construction underway, the project will move through several phases of development, focusing on the core hangar and workshop infrastructure first. The initial operational phase will concentrate on the approved Boeing narrow-body and medium-wide-body fleets. The subsequent expansion to include Boeing 777 maintenance capabilities will require additional certifications and tooling, representing a future phase of growth for the facility.

The center is also expected to create a significant number of jobs for skilled aviation technicians and engineers, contributing to workforce development in the region. The development of a local talent pool is seen as essential for the long-term sustainability of Kazakhstan's ambition to become a regional aviation leader.

Why This Matters

This development represents a major strategic investment in Kazakhstan's transportation infrastructure, enhancing its aviation sovereignty. By establishing a large-scale, modern MRO facility in partnership with a leading Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), the country is positioning itself to capture a significant share of the growing regional maintenance market. The move not only serves the immediate needs of its expanding domestic fleet but also signals Kazakhstan's ambition to become a key exporter of high-value aviation services across Central Asia.

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