Ukraine’s SkyUp Airlines operated 44.7% more charter flights from April 1 to October 31, a period traditionally considered the summer demand season, than in the same period last year, its press service reported on LinkedIn on Wednesday.
According to SkyUp, the number of charter flights reached 10,129 thousand, carrying 1.52 million passengers.
Under ACMI contracts, the company worked with Wizz Air, HiSky, Arkia Israeli airlines, US-Bangla Airlines Ltd. and Israir Airlines.
Flights were operated to 49 countries.
SkyUp is developing new markets in Asia, Africa, and North America. At the same time, in the summer season of 2024, Egypt was the leader in the destinations (from April 1 to October 31, 1,526 charter flights were operated), Romania (1,445) and Moldova (923), the report says.
Earlier it was reported that in January-August, SkyUp operated 27% more charter flights than in the same period last year – 2.7 thousand.
SkyUp’s website reports that the airline is ready to engage eight medium-haul Boeing 737-800 and two medium-haul Boeing 737-700 aircraft, the average age of which is 14 years, for charter flights. It is also noted that the airline’s operations in 2018 began with a charter program. Then a regular program was launched, and until the outbreak of a full-scale war, the airline successfully developed on a hybrid model. SkyUp cooperated with the largest tour operators in Ukraine and operated year-round charter programs for them. The carrier’s strategic partner is the JoinUP brand!
The company is authorized by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to operate flights to the European Union and has the right to operate commercial flights to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In June 2022, SkyUp Airlines received an operating permit from Switzerland.
In January-August, Ukrainian airline SkyUp Airlines operated 27% more charter flights than in the same period last year – 2.7 thousand, its press service reported on Linkedin on Wednesday.
For comparison, a total of 3.27 thousand charter flights were operated in 2023.
The number of passengers transported by the company on charter flights for 8 months of the year increased by 45% compared to the same period to 446.82 thousand. In 2023, SkyUp carried 511.59 thousand passengers on charter flights.
The number of destinations served by charter flights increased from 151 in 2023 to 190 this year.
In addition, this summer, the company significantly expanded the number of partners for whom it operated charters – there were 75% more of them than last year. SkyUp cooperated with tour operators from Romania, Poland, Italy, Slovakia, Armenia, Germany, and Turkey, the statement said.
“SkyUp Airlines is grateful to our partners for their trust and for choosing our airline again and again,” the statement quotes Larysa Fedun, head of the company’s charter department.
According to SkyUp’s website, the airline is ready to use eight medium-haul Boeing 737-800 and two medium-haul Boeing 737-700 aircraft, the average age of which is 14 years. All aircraft are powered by modern and reliable CFM56 engines. The Boeing 737-800 Next Generation has an improved Sky Interior design with LED cabin lighting and more comfortable and spacious luggage racks. Multi-colored cabin lighting, which is selected depending on the phase of the flight, creates a cozy atmosphere and allows passengers to better tolerate long flights. Some of the aircraft have been re-equipped with Geven seats, and it is planned to install them on all of the company’s aircraft.
It is also noted that the airline’s operations in 2018 began with a charter program. After that, a regular program was launched and the airline was successfully developing on a hybrid model until the outbreak of a full-scale war. SkyUp cooperated with the largest tour operators in Ukraine and operated year-round charter programs for them. The carrier’s strategic partner is the JoinUP brand!
The company is authorized by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to operate flights to the European Union and has the right to operate commercial flights to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In June 2022, SkyUp Airlines received an operating permit from Switzerland.
SkyUp (Kyiv) in December 2020 transported 58,800 passengers, of which 48,200 used charter flights, and 10,600 used regular flights.
According to the company’s press service, in December, 390 flights were performed under the international destination schedule (292 charter flights and 98 regular ones).
The airline also said that last month it completed 71.3% of its flights with 100% punctuality.
In addition, in December SkyUp transported 23 tonnes of cargo by passenger flights and performed seven cargo flights, which transported another 128.9 tonnes of cargo.
SkyUp LLC was registered in Kyiv in June 2016. The founder is ACS-Ukraine LLC of Tetiana and Yuriy Alba, who also own the JoinUp! tour operator.
Boryspil Airport (Kyiv region) on May 25-26 accepted and dispatched all 77 additional charter flights (100% of the plan) and 73 business flights, which is 21.6% more than the estimated number of flights agreed for transportation of fans to the holding of the UEFA Champions League final in Kyiv on May 26.
“Some 77 charter flights and 73 business flights were accepted on May 25-26. This number does not include regular flights, only those with fans,” airport spokeswoman Tetiana Yarosh said.
She also said that initially it was planned to accept only 60 business jets.
According to the expert, all these planes departed from Kyiv at 07:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 27, without incidents.
As reported, Boryspil airport planned to accept and dispatch 77 additional charter flights on May 25-27 in connection with the holding of the Champions League final match in Kyiv.
At the same time, Kyiv airport almost quintupled the number of accepted business jets in connection with the Champions League final match.