On Thursday, July 20, a delegation from the European low-cost carrier, Ryanair, along with their CEO Michael O’Leary, arrived at Kyiv Boryspil International Airport.
Representatives of the airport and the airline discussed their partnership as part of Ryanair’s strategic plan for the rapid recovery of air transport after end of war and EASA’s confirmation of the safety of flights in Ukrainian skies.
Ryanair management held talks with a team from the Ministry of Reconstruction, headed by the Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration, Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Оlexander Kubrakov.
During the visit, Michael O'Leary unveiled a plan to invest $3B in the recovery of the Ukrainian aviation industry. The investment plan includes basing up to 30 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft at three main airports in Ukraine.
The low-cost airliner is also expected to start operations in Ukraine within eight weeks after the airspace becomes functional. In the begining, Ryanair plans to operate 600 flights a week operating from three airports in Ukraine ; 50 routes to and from Kyiv and 25 from Lviv or Odesa.
Оlexander Kubrakov said,
“Maintaining the operability of the aviation infrastructure and personnel vocational skills remains vital for us in the conditions of war. Meanwhile, the resumption of flights will be possible as soon as the security situation allows."
"However, we are already working on solutions and investment plans to enable aircraft to begin flying quickly. I am grateful for the leadership in the recovery of our aviation industry, for the specific proposals and decisions of Ryanair, a loyal partner of Ukraine.”
O'Leary said he had been inspired by the dedication of the employees of Boryspil Airport, who are motivated and fully working for the post-war resumption of air traffic. He said,
“Ryanair remains a committed partner in rebuilding and investing in Ukrainian aviation. Today we saw that in the most difficult conditions of the war, the Boryspil airport team demonstrates its professionalism and is fully prepared for the speedy resumption of flights”.
Ryanair has become the first international airline whose management team have visited Ukraine , since the beginning of the full-scale war on Feb. 24, 2022.
