Last summer I had the chance to visit Uzbekistan. I flew with Live and Let's Fly from New York to Tashkent in Uzbekistan Airways' 787 business class, spent a few days in Uzbekistan, and then continued from Tashkent to Dushanbe in Uzbekistan Airways' A320 business class. The experience was fascinating, though rather annoyingly the airline…
Continue reading: Uzbekistan Airways Retires Last Ilyushin Il-114
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
The reason as for why Uzbekistan Airways had these Il-114's is simple. Even though it was designed by Ilyushin Design Bureau during Soviet Union, it was made in Tashkent, at formerly Tashkent Aviation Production Association, now Tashkent Mechanical Plant. So it is not Russian built, but Russian designed, Uzbek built.
Time for US federal government to start buying some ilyushin planes.
Why else did Russia install trump? The incompetent moron has been unable to deliver in other areas. Maybe he can waste/ spend some money. He is good at that.
I think we need a new Godwin's law for President Trump. People seem incapable of posting on any subject without his name coming up.
I'm just surprised they're still operating BAe-146s. Haven't flown on one of those in some 30+ years. They went out of production 17 years ago.
Lucky if you are interested in Soviet planes, look into Motor Sich airlines when you go to Ukraine the next time. I flew on one of their 45 year old Antonov 24s from Kiev to Lviv for $30, one of the most memorable flights I've ever had.
All is not lost Lucky. Our president is putting them back into production. As per Wikipedia: In July 2017, it was announced that Russia’s United Aircraft Corp. (UAC) had signed a letter of intent with State Transport Leasing Co. for 50 Ilyushin Il-114-300s. Although the delivery schedule was not disclosed, the manufacturer and lessor are expected to sign a preliminary agreement on terms and conditions before the end of 2017.[34] In 2017, the Kremlin injected ₽9.6 billion ($153 million) into the Il-114-300 and for three years from 2018, UAC plans to invest ₽7.66 billion ($122 million) for the Il-114-300.[35]
Even though it doesn’t make a lot of economic sense, it’s about Russia’s skill set and the ability to produce large, complex machinery. We’re moving forward.
Some regional airlines in China continued to fly Ilyushin's and Antonov's well after their 'use-by date'. I recall several trips to Urumqi on an Ilyushin 62 ( the 747 counterpart) on Xinjiang Airlines. They were still flying them quite recently, although my last trip was about a decade ago.
That's cool that you go on trips with Matt from Live and Lets Fly. Nice that you guys are friends and not competitors.
The issue is that the schedule has suffered greatly too. TMJ flights no longer daily, same for BHK and UGC. When I flew an Il 114 to BHK there were two daily flights. Train is an option but not for time effective travel...
In re: my post above... Just an update, FWIW: the last flight I took on a BAe-146 was in October 1986, on AirCal. I probably flew them on (the original) PSA, too.
I had the chance to fly on one of these when I was in Uzbekistan back in 2016! NCU - TAS for about $94 - the alternative was a 24-hour unairconditioned train in the summer. An easy choice!