During a working trip to Yekaterinburg, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin inspected the Il-114-300 regional turboprop aircraft at Koltsovo airport. This new model for the regional fleet is considered one of the core projects of the civil aviation import substitution program and is being specifically developed for use in hard-to-reach areas of Russia with limited airfield infrastructure. However, the Il-114-300 is still undergoing tests, costs are climbing, and operational specifications don`t always align with expectations.
The Il-114-300 is an upgraded variant of the Soviet-era Il-114, designed for local routes. Resumption of its serial production is being carried out following instructions from President Putin. The new aircraft is intended to replace the aging An-24, as well as foreign models like the French ATR72 and Canadian Bombardier Dash 8.
Mikhail Mishustin was shown one of the prototypes currently involved in certification testing. The aircraft is fully equipped with Russian systems and assembled from domestically produced components. The flight test program has already completed over 180 flights. Certification is anticipated in December 2025, after which the Il-114-300 is planned to enter serial production.
The Il-114-300 is designed to transport up to 68 passengers, has a cruising speed of 450–500 km/h, and can operate on short and unpaved runways as short as 790 meters. It is adapted for operation in harsh climates and low temperatures. Its maximum flight range is 1,900 km with a full load and up to 5,000 km in a lighter configuration.
However, the program`s implementation is facing several challenges. A key issue remains engine manufacturing: the aircraft is powered by TV7-117ST-01 turboprop engines, similar to those used on the Il-112V, which crashed in 2021. Certification of the Il-114-300 was suspended for two years following this disaster. Flight testing only recommenced in March 2024.
Currently, three prototype aircraft are participating in the test program. The latest, Il-114-300 with tail number 54116, completed its maiden flight in March 2025, with system stability checks proceeding without issues.
Beyond technical hurdles, the industry also encounters economic difficulties. The cost of the Il-114-300 has nearly doubled in the last two years, increasing from 1.44 to 2.6 billion rubles. The initial three aircraft are expected to cost the state approximately 4 billion each. The rise in production cost is attributed to increases in material prices, inflation, and localization efforts, but specific plans for price reduction have not yet been presented. Leasing arrangements are expected to become feasible only with the involvement of the National Wealth Fund.
Despite statements emphasizing the project`s priority, completion of the Il-114-300 certification is currently scheduled only for the second half of 2026. Until then, the aircraft remains a promising but non-operational potential replacement for the long-outdated regional aviation fleet.
