The regional aircraft project TVRS-44 "Ladoga" has effectively yielded priority to the more mature Il-114-300. The economic factor was key to the fate of the liner, explained Oleg Panteleev, executive director of the "Aviaport" agency.
According to him, the customer for the work on "Ladoga" was the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which concluded contracts with UZGA for various stages of the aircraft's creation.
Currently, a situation has developed where it is impractical to implement two turboprop passenger aircraft projects in parallel – budgetary capabilities are not limitless.
Sergey Merenkov, Chief Designer of Transport Aircraft at UZGA, stated that it was decided to transfer "Ladoga" to the Russian Ministry of Defence for the development of a ramp cargo version or with a side door. It is likely that the Ural Plant will undertake this work.