Indian firms sign preliminary deals for 85 Ilyushin Il-114-300 turboprops

Two Indian aviation companies have reached preliminary agreements for 85 Ilyushin Il-114-300 turboprops, according to announcements made at the INNOPROM India exhibition in New Delhi on September 10, 2026. Pinnacle Air signed a letter of intent covering 50 aircraft, while Sleek Aviation signed a memorandum of understanding for 35 aircraft that also includes plans for a training center with a full-flight simulator.

Neither agreement is a firm order. United Aircraft Corporation, the Russian state-owned manufacturer, said it hopes to secure binding contracts before the end of 2026. Delivery schedules, maintenance arrangements, and any commitment to produce components in India remain subject to separate negotiations.

The 68-seat Il-114-300 is positioned as a competitor to the ATR 72-600 for regional routes, and Rostec, UAC's parent group, is promoting it for India's UDAN regional connectivity program. The aircraft is designed to operate from smaller airports with limited infrastructure and uses Russian-built engines and avionics. The model is an updated version of a Soviet-era design that first flew in 1990; the modernized variant first flew in December 2020.

Pinnacle Air currently provides helicopter charter and other aviation services, while Sleek Aviation is based in Gurugram. It is not yet known whether either company intends to launch a regional airline. In January 2026, Flamingo Aerospace also signed a preliminary agreement for six of the type, with deliveries projected to start in 2028.