Northwest Russian carrier to be first operator of newly-certified Il-114-300

Delivery of three aircraft to Arkhangelsk-based air services company set to start before year-end.

Russian regional carrier Arctic Airlines is set to become the first operator of the Ilyushin Il-114-300 turboprop, following a lease agreement for three of the type.

Arctic Airlines is part of the 2nd Arkhangelsk United Aviation Squadron, based at Vaskovo airport in the northwestern federal district.

The company uses a Mil Mi-8 and Mi-26 helicopters as well as fixed-wing fleet of Antonov An-2s and Aircraft Industries L-410s, performing regional flights as well as a variety of air services work.

But it is scheduled to start taking delivery of Il-114-300s before the end of this year, according to state leasing firm GTLK which signed an agreement with the company at the recent St Petersburg international economic forum.

The Il-114-300 has just received its type certificate from Russian federal air transport regulator Rosaviatsia.

Arctic Airlines will use the turboprop on 11 routes including services from Arkhangelsk to such cities as Murmansk, St Petersburg, Syktyvkar and Naryan-Mar.

“When selecting the first operator, we considered both the airline’s experience and readiness to master the new aircraft type, as well as proximity to our production and maintenance base,” says GTLK chief Mikhail Parnev.

United Aircraft general director Vadim Badekha says concluding the first lease contract on the same day as certification demonstrates strong demand for the aircraft.

“We’re pleased to have found reliable partners in the introduction of this aircraft into service,” he adds.

GTLK says it has had a business relationship with the 2nd Arkhangelsk United Air Squadron since 2017.

All the Il-114-300s will be delivered to GTLK under “preferential” terms, says the lessor, with state support from the ministry of transport and ministry of industry.

Industry and trade minister Anton Alikhanov says the primary task, following the certification and lease deal, is to “ensure serial production”.

“I have no doubt that the Il-114-300 will become a reliable and safe aircraft for regional transportation, strengthening connections between regions and increasing the availability of air travel throughout the country,” he adds.