At Wings India 2026, the IL-114-300 regional turboprop impressed visitors. Made by United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), this 68-seater plane symbolizes India's push in aviation manufacturing. Hyderabad-based Flamingo Aerospace has signed to buy six of these aircraft, with delivery planned by 2028. "This is a phased aircraft programme," said Subhakar Pappula, CEO of Flamingo Aerospace. "First, a green aircraft - the bare frame - will come from UAC and be assembled in India. Interiors like seats and lavatories will be fitted locally." Pappula added the plan will grow, moving to maintenance and full assembly in India. The goal is full local manufacturing, creating jobs and boosting the supply chain. Flamingo Aerospace is looking at locations in southern India for its assembly line, becoming one of the first commercial aircraft manufacturers in the country. Airlines are interested; six planes are ordered with talks ongoing with regional carriers Fly91 and Star Air. The IL-114-300 offers 25% lower purchase costs and about 10% lower operating costs, ideal for regional routes supported by the UDAN scheme. Its cabin is compact but functional, with firm, contoured seats and good legroom for short flights. The aircraft sports a sleek blue livery and new cockpit instruments. "We want to offer affordable, competitive planes to Indian airlines," said Pappula. "Delivery times will be shorter than global options." The first planes assembled locally will reach Indian airlines by 2028. The exhibition showed strong emphasis on domestic manufacturing. About a third of stalls featured Indian component makers, many small and medium firms. Flamingo Aerospace is already working with Hyderabad's Time Tooth Technologies for aircraft seating, with more local partnerships planned. Overall, the IL-114-300 project highlights India’s growing strength and ambition in the aircraft manufacturing sector.