Indian companies sign preliminary agreements for 85 Il-114-300 aircraft
Two Indian aviation companies signed preliminary documents covering 85 Russian Il-114-300 turboprop aircraft on September 10, 2026, at the INNOPROM India exhibition in New Delhi. As AeroTime reports, the documents provide for 50 aircraft for Pinnacle Air and 35 for Sleek Aviation.
The agreements are not firm orders. Pinnacle Air signed a letter of intent, while Sleek Aviation signed a memorandum of understanding. Sleek’s document also provides for plans to establish a training center with a full-flight simulator.
Terms of potential contracts
The United Aircraft Corporation, which is part of Russia’s state-owned Rostec company (Russia is an aggressor state), seeks to conclude firm contracts by the end of 2026. Delivery schedules, maintenance agreements, and commitments to manufacture certain components in India are to be agreed separately.
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The Il-114-300 is designed for 68 passengers and intended for regional routes between smaller cities where larger jet aircraft are not required. Rostec is offering the aircraft for India’s UDAN program, which supports the expansion of regional air connectivity. According to the manufacturer, it can operate at small airports with limited infrastructure and is equipped with Russian-made engines and avionics.
The model and potential buyers
The Il-114-300 is an updated version of a Soviet-designed aircraft that first flew in 1990. During the initial production cycle, 20 aircraft were built, and production was discontinued in 2012. The updated version first took to the air in December 2020.
In January 2026, India’s Flamingo Aerospace signed a preliminary agreement for six Il-114-300 aircraft, with deliveries expected to begin in 2028. Pinnacle Air provides helicopter charter flight services and other aviation services, while Sleek Aviation is based in Gurugram. Neither of these two companies currently operates as an air carrier, and it is unknown whether they plan to launch regional airlines.
