Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) carried 2.790 million passengers in 2021, which is 61% more than in 2020, but 65% less than in pre-COVID 2019. According to the press service of the company, in particular, 1.582 million passengers were transported on charter flights over the past year (against 595,300 in 2020, 1.030 million in 2019), on regular flights – 1.207 million (1.133 million and 6.937 million respectively).
In total, UIA operated 20,600 flights in 2021, which is 45% more than in 2020 and 65% less than in 2019. Regular flights, in particular, amounted to 11,700 (10,600 in 2020, 52,800 in 2019), charter flights – almost 9,000 (3,600 and 5,500 respectively).
In addition, UIA transported 4,400 tonnes of cargo and mail last year compared to 7,400 tonnes in 2020 and 21,600 tonnes in 2019.
The company also notes that in 2021 UIA returned about $33 million to passengers for canceled flights due to COVID-19. In total, for the entire period of work in crisis conditions during the pandemic from April 2020 to December 31, 2021, the company returned about $57 million
“The transformation and optimization of UIA’s operational work in 2020-2021 resulted in an obvious change in the trend towards stabilization even during the crisis period, which became possible due to the adaptation of the company’s business model from network to hybrid and a significant reduction in costs,” the air carrier said.
