Kyiv Sikorsky International Airport (Zhuliany) expects a significant increase in the number of flights in 2022-2023, as a result of which it is planned to double passenger traffic, according to the airport’s website with reference to Board Chairman Denys Kostrzhevsky.
“Our forecasts for the resumption of passenger traffic came true by 98%. We celebrate the new year with pleasure from the work done in difficult 2021 and look to the future with the hope of an even greater increase in passenger traffic,” Kostrzhevsky is quoted as saying.
In his opinion, the next few years will not be easy for the airport team, since it will require considerable efforts, in particular, in connection with the planned expansion of Wizzair’s presence at the airport and preparations for a runway reconstruction in 2023-2024.
“2022 and 2023 are extremely important for us. We will have to make a lot of efforts, because we expect a significant increase in the number of flights. We plan to double our passenger traffic and actually accumulate a financial reserve so as not to lose the team during the period when reconstruction begins,” he said.
The board head also explained that reconstruction will last two years and will take place in two stages.
“In 2022, a runway reconstruction project will be approved and a source of funding for it will be found. The first stage of reconstruction is 2023. The airport staff will work as usual. During this year, aprons, taxiways and lighting equipment will be reconstructed. The second stage is 2024. We will stop the airport operation for the runway reconstruction, but we will keep all the jobs and salaries of employees. We will live on the savings that we will make in 2022-2023. After all, it is very important for me to preserve jobs, professional skills of our employees,” Kostrzhevsky said.
He also said that as a result of reconstruction, the airport’s production capacity will be increased, equipment will be updated, the quality of service and flight safety will improve, and the number of jobs will increase by a third.
