1 hr ago
Omkam Plans 50 Russian Aircraft and Indian Assembly Line
Omkam Aviations wants to bring 50 Russian-made airplanes to India.
The airplanes are called IL-114-300s and can carry about 66 to 68 people.
They are designed to use smaller airports and shorter runways.
This could help people fly directly between smaller cities instead of changing planes in a major city.
The first group would contain six airplanes.
Omkam says it plans to build an assembly line in India later.
The project would involve technology sharing with Russia and an initial investment of ₹1,500 crore.
India’s civil aviation minister said the aircraft could support the country’s regional connectivity plans.
Omkam Aviations says it signed a letter of intent with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation for 50 IL-114-300 aircraft.
The first batch would include six aircraft, followed by an Indian assembly line and full technology transfer under the proposed roadmap.
The initial phase is expected to involve an investment of ₹1,500 crore, with Sberbank of Russia committed in principle to provide funding.
The 66-to-68-seat turboprops are intended to connect underserved Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities using shorter regional airfields.
Pinnacle Air said it is only interested in leasing the aircraft and was not a party to the September 10, 2026, letter of intent.
- Who
- Omkam Aviations Pvt. Ltd. and Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation are pursuing the aircraft plan, with support expressed by Indian and Russian officials.
- What
- A proposed purchase of 50 IL-114-300 aircraft, followed by an Indian assembly line and technology transfer.
- Where
- The proposed assembly and manufacturing activity would take place in India, following discussions at the Innoprom India trade fair in New Delhi.
- When
- The announcement concerns an LOI dated September 10, 2026; the article does not specify a delivery schedule.
- Why
- The aircraft are intended to improve direct connections between underserved Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and support India-Russia industrial cooperation.
Key facts
- Aircraft
- IL-114-300 twin-engine turboprop
- Planned quantity
- 50 aircraft
- First batch
- Six aircraft
- Passenger capacity
- Approximately 66 to 68 seats
- Initial investment
- ₹1,500 crore
- Manufacturing plan
- An Indian assembly line followed by proposed full technology transfer
- Proposed financier
- Sberbank of Russia has committed in principle to provide funding
- Pinnacle Air’s role
- An associate company interested in leasing the aircraft, but not a party to the LOI
Quotes
Peeyush Kumar Aggarwal
Managing Director of Omkam Aviations Pvt. Ltd.
“Il-114-300 is quite compatible for India's regional connectivity scheme with a lot of regional airports coming up. It is very important to connect them. And planes like this are very efficient to connect them. We have expanded the dialogues on that and want to start the manufacturing process as soon as possible of getting the Russian planes manufactured in our country.”
freepressjournal.in
“These aircraft are well-suited for connecting the smaller Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. For instance, if someone wants to travel from Meerut to Mumbai, they can go directly rather than flying into Delhi and then transferring to Mumbai—just like prospective routes connecting Noida, Agra, Pune, and beyond.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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