Michael O’Leary, CEO of Irish low-cost airline Ryanair, met with Ukrainian officials to present an investment plan for the restoration of the Ukrainian aviation industry. In total, the company is ready to invest $3 billion in Ukraine.
Source. This was announced by the Ministry of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure of Ukraine following a meeting with the company’s management, which visited Ukraine today.
“The key thing for us in a time of war is to maintain the suitability of the aviation infrastructure and the qualifications of our personnel. At the same time, we will resume flights as soon as the security situation allows. However, we are already working on solutions and investment plans that will allow us to launch aircraft as soon as possible. I am grateful for the leadership in the restoration of our aviation industry, specific proposals and solutions of Ryanair, a committed partner of Ukraine,” said Oleksandr Kubrakov, Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure.
Ryanair’s investment plan includes basing up to 30 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft worth more than $3 billion at 3 major airports in Ukraine.
The plan also provides for the airline’s return to operating flights in Ukraine within up to 8 weeks after it is authorized by the relevant safety regulators.
It is expected that the company will be able to perform after resuming operations in Ukraine:
- 600 flights per week;
- 50 routes from Kyiv
- 25 routes from Odesa and Lviv.
In addition, Ryanair intends to launch daily domestic flights between Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa as soon as the respective airports start operating.
“Ryanair was the second largest airline in Ukraine before the illegal Russian invasion in February 2022. Once this invasion has been successfully repelled and the skies over Ukraine reopen, Ryanair will return to Ukraine, connecting Ukraine’s major airports with over 20 EU capitals, and we are working closely with the Ukrainian government to rebuild Ukraine’s aviation, industry and economy,” said Michael O’Leary, Ryanair Group CEO.
In total, within the first 12 months after its return, Ryanair is ready to offer more than 5 million seats for passenger transportation, both internationally and domestically, the report says.
