Kazakh Airlines Boeing 717-200

Kazakh Airlines

IATA - KZ
ICAO - KZA
Callsign - KAZAKH

Boeing 717-200
​P4-KZR

With the delivery of Kazakh Airlines new Boeing fleet almost the entire airlines network had been covered with the exception of its domestic and regional market, while the 757 did help relieve some of the pressure on the regional market Kazakh Airlines really needed an aircraft with the ability to operate short and quick turnarounds, the capacity to fill the domestic market and the range to operate to neighboring nations regional airports, and while many regional options where considered Kazakh Airlines decided to order the Boeing 717-200 further affirming the airlines loyalty to an all Boeing fleet. The type proved itself especially on the airlines Almaty-Astana (Nur Sultan) route.

When the aircraft officially entered service with the airline in 2002 it was the newest type in the fleet, with the other Boeing aircraft either leased or purchased from other airlines, the Boeing 717-200 had been purchased new from Boeing. A total of 6 entered service with Kazakh Airlines and would operate with the company until 2012 when Kazakh Airlines went for smaller but more economical regional airliner. The Boeing 717 was also the first aircraft in not only Kazakh Airlines fleet but in the country to not receive a Kazakhstani registration and would in fact be registered in Aruba the first being P4-KZR, this would later be applied to the airlines entire fleet, this was to reduce high import taxes on aircraft in service in Kazakhstan and to sway away from registrations in nations with questionable airworthiness standards. While Kazakh Airlines was renowned for exception safety standards, the change in registration made it easier for airlines to work with aircraft lessors to obtain new aircraft.

The Boeing 717-200 was also the last aircraft type to enter service with the airline to wear cheatlines.