Big market for small aircraft in India

HYDERABAD: Moscow-based Russian Aircraft, an arm of United Air Corporation, expects to sell 100 of its Ilyushin series of aircraft (IL 114) in India over the next three years.
The company, through its marketing agency Hindavia Aeronautical Services Limited, is talking to scheduled regional carriers across the country to sell the turboprop aircraft which can seat 44-64 people.The low-flying aircraft (around 7000 metres) can fly at its best efficiency up to 1000 km.
"These aircraft are best suited to short-hauls and most suitable to regional airlines. We expect to sign a few confirmed letters of intent in the next three days," said Pavel Melnikov of Russian Aircraft.
According to him, the market for such small aircraft in India is 500 airplanes over the next three years.
Pavel Melnikov spoke at his stall at the ongoing Indian Aviation 2008 expo.
Interestingly, this is the first time that a Russian commercial aircraft has been flown to India and displayed for marketing purposes.
The older versions of IL series, which will compete with ATR twin turboprop aircraft, have so far been deployed in Russian airliner Viborg and Uzbekish Airlines. But the ones being marketed in India are improved versions with Pratt & Whitney engines.
"We expect the demand for small aircraft to surge in the current financial situation as they can be easily filled up to capacity," said Siddhartha Bose, chairman of Hindavia .