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Ilyushin Il-114

Turboprop Regional airliner · Soviet Union Russia / · Modern (1992–2009)

Ilyushin Il-114 — Turboprop Regional airliner
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The Ilyushin Il-114 is a Russian short-haul twin-turboprop airliner — Ilyushin's first all-new post-Soviet airliner. The prototype first flew on 29 March 1990. About 17 Il-114 airframes have been built between 1992 and 2024 at Tashkent Aircraft Production Association and Lukhovitsky Plant. The aircraft has served several Russian, Uzbek, and ELINT operators in commercial and military roles; Russian state 2022 sanctions response has restarted Il-114-300 production at low rates.

The Il-114 used two Klimov TV7-117 turboprop engines (2,500 shp each, later TV7-117ST at 3,100 shp in the Il-114-300 variant). Maximum speed 500 km/h, range 1,500 km, service ceiling 7,600 m. Capacity: 64 passengers in standard configuration. The aircraft was specifically designed as a Russian alternative to the Western ATR 42 + ATR 72 and Bombardier Q400 short-haul turboprops. Il-114 production was originally at Tashkent (Uzbekistan); the 2022 sanctions response shifted production to Lukhovitsky Plant (Russia).

Il-114 service has been very limited. Aeroflot did not order the type. Uzbekistan Airways operated 6 Il-114s on Tashkent short-haul routes 2002-2016 before retirement. Russian Aerospace Forces operates ~3 Il-114s in special-missions / ELINT roles. Russian 2022 government decision to restart production at Lukhovitsky has resulted in about 8 new Il-114-300 airframes scheduled for delivery to Russian short-haul airlines (Aurora, Severstal, short-haul operators) and Russian Aerospace Forces through 2024-2028.

For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version

The Ilyushin Il-114 is a Russian short-haul turboprop airliner. The Il-114 first flew on March 29, 1990. About 17 Il-114s have been built between 1992 and 2024. The Il-114 was meant to replace older Soviet planes like the An-24 and Yak-40.

The Il-114 is 88 feet long with a 99-foot wingspan, smaller than a Boeing 737. Two Klimov TV7-117 turboprop engines each make 2,500 to 3,100 horsepower. Top speed is 311 mph, faster than most race cars. The plane carries 64 passengers.

The Il-114 was designed in the late 1980s as a Russian alternative to the European ATR 42, ATR 72, and Bombardier Q400. But the Soviet Union ended in 1991, and Aeroflot did not order many Il-114s. Production stayed slow for decades.

After 2022 sanctions cut Russia off from Boeing and Airbus, Russia restarted Il-114 production at low rates. The newer Il-114-300 has a more-powerful engine and modern avionics. Russia plans to build dozens of new Il-114s by 2030 to replace ATR turboprops grounded by sanctions.

Fun Facts

  • The Il-114 is a Russian short-haul turboprop airliner.
  • The Il-114 first flew on March 29, 1990.
  • Only about 17 Il-114s have been built so far.
  • The Il-114 is 88 feet long, smaller than a Boeing 737.
  • Top speed is 311 mph, faster than most race cars.
  • The plane carries 64 passengers.
  • Russia restarted Il-114 production after 2022 sanctions.

Kids’ Questions

Why so few built?

The Il-114 was unlucky: it was just about ready when the Soviet Union ended in 1991. Aeroflot was broken up, and most Russian airlines were too poor to buy new planes. They flew old An-24s and Tu-134s instead, or bought used Western planes. Only 17 Il-114s were built between 1992 and 2024. The 2022 sanctions changed this, and new Il-114-300s are being built now.

What is it competing with?

The Il-114 competes with European turboprops like the ATR 42 (50 seats) and ATR 72 (70 seats), plus the Canadian Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 (70 to 80 seats). The Il-114 sits between ATR 42 and ATR 72 in size. After 2022, Russian airlines cannot buy ATR or Bombardier planes due to sanctions, so the Il-114 is their only option for new short-haul turboprops.

Where is it built?

Originally the Il-114 was built at Tashkent Aircraft Production Association in Uzbekistan. After 2022, Russia shifted production to the Lukhovitsky Aircraft Plant near Moscow, since Uzbekistan was harder for Russia to source from. New Il-114-300s are being built at Lukhovitsky from 2023 onwards.

Variants

Il-114 (basic)
Original 1992 production at Tashkent. TV7-117 engines. About 12 built.
Il-114T (cargo)
Cargo variant. About 2 built. Russian special-missions use.
Il-114LL (electronic warfare laboratory)
Russian Aerospace Forces electronic-warfare laboratory variant. 3 conversions.
Il-114-300 (modern restart)
2022+ Lukhovitsky production. TV7-117ST engines, modern avionics. About 8 scheduled for delivery 2024-2028.

Notable Operators

Russian Aerospace Forces
About 3 Il-114s in special-missions / signals laboratory roles.
Uzbekistan Airways (2002-2016)
6 Il-114s in Uzbek short-haul service. Retired 2016.
Russian short-haul airlines (Aurora, Severstal, others)
Future operators for Il-114-300 deliveries 2024-2028. Combined ~8 airframes scheduled.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why has the Il-114 been so slow to enter commercial service?

Russian short-haul airlines preferred Western alternatives (ATR 42, ATR 72, Bombardier Q400) with established maintenance networks and parts supply. The Il-114's Tashkent production location (Uzbekistan, post-1991 a separate country) complicated Russian airlines' procurement decisions. Russian aviation strategy diverted funding to other post-Soviet airliner programmes (Tu-204, Sukhoi Superjet 100). The Il-114 effectively languished from the mid-1990s through 2022.

What changed in 2022?

Russian state 2022 sanctions response. Western parts supply (ATR + Bombardier + Embraer maintenance support) became unreliable for Russian airlines after the Russia-Ukraine war started. The Russian government decided to restart Il-114-300 production at Lukhovitsky Plant (Russia, not Tashkent) using Russian-built TV7-117ST engines and modern Russian-built avionics. About 8 new Il-114-300 airframes are scheduled for delivery to Russian short-haul airlines through 2024-2028.

How is the Il-114 different from Western turboprops?

Similar configuration and capacity to the ATR 72 (64 vs. 70 passengers; similar range; similar speed). Different supplier ecosystem — Russian engines, avionics, and maintenance support vs. Western. The Il-114's economics depend heavily on Russian government procurement and Russian short-haul market demand; Western turboprops have much larger global maintenance networks but are unavailable in Russia post-2022 sanctions.

How many Il-114s exist today?

About 17 airframes total across all variants since 1992. ~3 active in Russian Aerospace Forces special-missions service. ~6 retired by Uzbekistan Airways. About 8 new Il-114-300s scheduled for delivery 2024-2028. Net active fleet expected to grow to ~12 airframes by 2028.

Sources

See Also