Kazakh Airlines Ilyushin IL-96

Kazakh Airlines

IATA - KZ

ICAO - KZA

Callsign - KAZAKH

Ilyushin IL-96

​UN-85294

By the mid 90's as tensions with the west had began to ease, Kazakh Airlines and Kazakhstan where looking to expand their network and presence in the global market. For the nation this was to represent themselves as an emerging country with a growing economy and for the airline it was to show prominence on the global stage, Part of this plan was to open new routes and create links to the west, initially starting with new destinations in Western Europe with flights to Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom all of which at that time where operated by either the TU-154M or IL-86 fleet, however both the nation and airline wanted further growth and with long haul expansion planned Kazakh Airlines needed an aircraft with the range to operate the routes and opening the countries first service to the United States was on the cards and thus the order for the Ilyushin IL-96 came.

Kazakh Airlines operated of two IL-96 aircraft with deliveries in 1994 and 1995 and in March of 1994 Kazakh Airlines operated their first long haul service to New York, initially operated via Kiev, until the second IL-96 would be received at which point Kazakh Airlines offered an additional service via Minsk, The IL-96 was also utilized on other routes within Kazakh Airlines network however its primary role was the long haul transatlantic services.

The IL-96 operated for Kazakh Airlines until 2002 when delivery of newer, modern and more economical western built aircraft entered the fleet forcing the retirement of the IL-96. Though retired from the operation with Kazakh Airlines the type would go on to operate for several years as a government and VIP aircraft.