Uzbekistan to phase out Russian-built Il-114-100 turboprops
PW-127Н-powered Ilyushins will be avalable for lease
Uzbekistan Airways has announced its decision to cease commercial operation of Ilyushin Il-114-100 regional turboprops. The airline is understood to be planning to replace the type with Airbus A320ceo/neo narrowbodies, but declined to comment further at press time. A source in the Uzbek commercial aviation industry told Russian Aviation Insider that the carrrier intends to lease out its six Il-114-100s.
Uzbekistan’s flag carrier operates its Ilyushins in a 52-seat configuration, powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada PW-127Н engines. The aircraft (registered UK-91104, UK-91105, UK-91106, UK-91107, UK-91108, and UK-91109) were built between 2006 and 2012, and were delivered to the airline between 2008 and 2013 under a series of contracts with Tashkent Chkalov Aviation Production Company (now known as Tashkent Mechanical Plant).
According to Russian Aviation Insider’s source, only three of the airliners are in airworthy condition; the remaining three are either grounded or undergoing maintenance. The airline’s technical personnel involved with the Il-114 will undergo retraining on unspecified new types. The turboprops are expected to be phased out within the next month or two.
The source noted that the decision to phase out the Ilyushins is solely down to their insufficient seating capacity, and stressed the absence of any technical issues: “There have, admittedly, been some aftersale support hiccups. The OEM could have communicated better, for one. However, any issues involving these aircraft would be resolved successfully.”
Uzbekistan Airways’ Il-114-100s have been operating scheduled services within the country and to neighboring CIS states. The shortest flight on the type, from Tashkent to Navoiy (also in Uzbekistan) lasted 55 minutes; the longest one, between Tashkent and Nukus (another Uzbek destination), took 2 hours 20 minutes.
Along with the A320ceo/neo plans, the carrier is looking to purchase Embraer business jets for corporate charter flights.
Uzbekistan Airways currently is the only Il-114 commercial operator in the world. According to the source, Kyrgyzstan’s Air KG, the subsidiary of Manas International Airport, has expressed interest in taking the Uzbek operator’s Ilyushins on lease.
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