India to become major market for Russian aircraft

Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), part of the Rostec state corporation, has signed agreements with Indian airlines for the supply of 105 Il-114-300 regional aircraft.

The agreements were signed on the sidelines of INNOPROM. India industrial exhibition in New Delhi, according to Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.

Under the agreements, 50 aircraft will be supplied to Pinnacle Air, 35 to Sleek Aviation and up to 20 to Air Kerala.

UAC and Sleek Aviation will also establish a joint training centre equipped with a full-flight Il-114-300 simulator.

“India has significant potential for the development of regional air travel, and the Il-114-300 is well suited to expanding the route network and improving transport accessibility,” the ministry’s press service quoted Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Gennady Abramenkov as saying.

UAC CEO Vadim Badaekha also said the company plans to establish a joint engineering centre with India.

The Il-114-300 is a Russian turboprop regional airliner designed for passenger services on short- and medium-haul routes, including operations from smaller airports.

By Vugar Khalilov