UKRAINE INTERNATIONAL / B737 MAX8 / N5573K

 
Brian Worthington

Ukraine’s flag carrier places financial stability ahead of fleet expansion

Ukraine International Airlines (UIA), the country’s national carrier, is to slow down its expansion plans in order to stabilise its financial performance and climb out of the red.

“We are proclaiming 2019 as the year of stabilisation,” Yury Miroshnikov, UIA’s president declared at a Kyiv press conference. “We are aiming at securing [our] positive [financial] results of the year. 2018 was the second loss-bearing year in a row for our airline, but this is the price we paid for developing our network, growing our traffic, renewing and expanding our fleet in very unfavourable economic and geopolitical conditions, Miroshnikov pointed out.

He revealed that among the negative factors that affected the airline’s revenues last year were fuel price spikes, the higher costs of air traffic management services in Ukraine as well as ‘geopolitical tensions’ – referring to the current troubled Russo-Ukrainian relations – which have imposed airspace restrictions that added to flight times. He also complained about delayed deliveries of Boeing 777-200ER long-haul aircraft.

The Ukrainian dominant carrier intends to suspend its fleet expansion plans and concentrate on fleet renewals instead. “We have phased out all Boeing 737CLs so that now our entire narrow-body fleet consists of next-generation aircraft. In the [coming] spring we’re expecting the delivery of three factory-fresh Boeing 737MAXs, but they will replace older aircraft,” Miroshnikov revealed.

At the same time, UIA intends to complete the delivery of two Embraer 195 aircraft, an order that has been on hold since last year. The large regional jets will be operated on thin and regional routes, previously served by B737-300s and -500s.

Meanwhile, the delivery schedule of a fourth Boeing 777 remains uncertain. “The aircraft was not compliant with contract terms, under several technical parameters, and we are still in negotiations with the lessor,” Miroshnikov explained.

In terms of further route network expansion, UIA intends to ease back on this activity too, with the launch of just one new connection linking Kyiv and Izmir in Turkey. Nevertheless, the airline is hopeful of boosting its overall traffic results by eight to 10 per cent through improved fleet utilisation rates and increased seat load factors. Ukraine International carried more than eight million passengers in 2018.

UIA currently operates a 42-strong fleet, consisting of three B777-200ERs, four B767-300ERs, 26 B737-800s, four B737-900s and five medium-haul Embraer-190s.

by ES in Air Transport

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Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) : Antonov aircraft no alternative to Embraers

Ukraine International Airlines (UIA), the country’s largest carrier, has announced its 2018 fleet expansion plans. The operator expects to add 12 aircraft, including four Boeing 777s, six Boeing 737-800s, and two Embraer E190s. It will also continue to gradually phase out its 737CLs.

However, these expectations, particularly with regard to the Embraers, have now been jeopardized by the Ukrainian government’s recent initiative, CEO Yuri Miroshnikov told a news conference.

A new regulation, which came into force on January 1, cancels tax rebates for aircraft seating between 44 and 110 passengers and having an MTOW between 10 and 30 tons that are being imported under operational lease agreements.

The regulation was proposed in 2016 with the aim of creating an equal playing field for Western-built and Ukrainian-made aircraft on the local market. The idea is to protect the Antonov An-140 regional turboprop twin, the An-148 regional jet, and its larger version, the An-158. According to Ukrainian laws, imports of similarly sized aircraft are now subject to 20% VAT.

UIA does not entirely rule out the possibility of adding Ukrainian-built aircraft to its fleet, Miroshnikov said: “We would be happy to operate domestically-manufactured aircraft if they were produced in sufficient numbers, it the manufacturer launched series production of these types and provided maintenance support in those countries to which we fly. Also, if they were certified to EASA standards.”

He added that none of these conditions have been met since the introduction of the new regulation, meaning that the carrier has no alternative to Boeings and Embraers.

UIA currently operates five Embraer E190s. The additionally ordered examples of the type are needed in order to meet the existing demand for domestic air travel and on routes to several East European destinations, including Poland.

“There are quite a few regional airports in Ukraine that cannot accept Boeings due to the runway conditions,” Miroshnikov explained. “Being unable to operate the lighter Embraers robs us of local network development perspectives and prevents us from offering more international flights from smaller airports.” UIA last year announced it was going to launch a route to Krakow from December 26 with Embraers.

UIA had been hoping for parliament to postpone the VAT rebate cancellation date. On December 7 last year, parliament proposed a piece of legislation moving that date back to January 1, 2021. However, the document has yet to be signed by the country’s president.








Russian Aviation Insider

UIA to get four Boeing 777s in 2018

The 361-seat airliners will be used on the carrier's existing long-haul routes (UIA)

Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) is expanding its widebody fleet. The carrier expects to take delivery of the first of four Boeing 777-200ERs it has on order early in February 2018, CEO Yuri Miroshnikov revealed at a news conference in Kyiv dedicated to the carrier’s 25th anniversary. The deliveries are to be completed by mid-June of the same year.

Each of the four aircraft, which are being purchased from the secondary market, will be configured with 361 passenger seats in three classes: 21 in business, 16 in premium economy, and 324 in economy.

UIA will become the country’s first carrier to offer Wi-Fi connection on-board. The service will be free for business-class passengers (up to 200MB of traffic). Economy and premium-economy passengers will be able to choose from three rate options: Lite (20MB for $7), Basic (50MB for $15), and Advanced (100MB for $23).

The in-flight entertainment system available to all passengers will offer a choice of 50 Ukrainian- and foreign-made (available in Ukrainian, Russian, English, Chinese, French, German, and Hindu), 30 TV series, and 30 music albums, as well as video games, city guides, and a 3D map with current flight information.

According to Miroshnikov, the choice of Boeing 777 was primarily dictated by the per-seat cost. Although the type has a greater MTOW than the Boeing 767s UIA currently operates on long-haul flights, meaning the ATM and airport handling fees will be higher, it seats nearly 100 more passengers. This is why the airline has no immediate plans to raise its long-haul air fares.

Asked by the Russian Aviation Insider to comment on the future of UIA’s Boeing 767s, Miroshnikov said that these “have played and will continue to play an important role”. The airliners’ lease contracts expire in two years. Until then, they will be used to test the airline’s new long-haul routes such as to Toronto, New Delhi, and the Chinese resort of Sanya, possibly after a certain amount of business-class renovation and IFE upgrades.

The Boeing 777s will be operated on the existing routes, including to New York. The only exception might be Shanghai if UIA decides to inaugurate this destination. Flying from Kyiv, the route would require a Boeing 777 because the 767 can only fly that far with a limited useful load on board.

Also next year, UIA intends to add six Boeing 737s to its fleet and possibly two Embraer E-Jet regional jetliner. Three or four of the 737s will be factory-new; the rest of the aircraft will be renovated prior to delivery.
The carrier expects to take delivery of a new 737 from the manufacturer before the end of 2017.

Andrey Bystrov in Air Transport

UKRAINE INTERNATIONAL, First B777-200ER - 2-AERA

Ton Jochems - AMS

Ukraine International outlines Boeing 777 service from 1Q18

Ukraine International Airlines in the first quarter of 1Q18 is launching Boeing 777 service, including the 3-4-3 layout in Economy Class. Planned 777 operation as follow.

Kiev Borispil – Bangkok 17FEB18 – 24MAR18 4 weekly
PS271 KBP1925 – 1005+1BKK 777 x245
PS272 BKK1205 – 1825KBP 777 x356

Kiev Borispil – Beijing eff 01MAY18 1 daily
PS287 KBP1025 – 0110+1PEK 777 D
PS288 PEK0240 – 0835KBP 777 D

Kiev Borispil – New York JFK eff 25MAR18 1 daily
PS231 KBP1100 – 1420JFK 777 D
PS232 JFK0030 – 1720KBP 777 D

Kiev Borispil – Tel Aviv eff 06FEB18 PS777/778 1 daily (schedule below effective 06FEB18 – 16FEB18)
PS777 KBP2000 – 2310TLV 777 D
PS778 TLV0530 – 0840KBP 777 D

Operational schedule for Beijing and New York listed above is valid during peak season.
By Jim Liu

Ukraine International expands European service in S17

Ukraine International in summer 2017 season is introducing expanded service on a number of key European routes, with additional weekly frequency being added on 6 routes. Planned changes as follow.
Kiev Borispil – Amsterdam eff 29MAR17 Increase from 12 to 13 weekly (14 weekly from 16JUN17)
Kiev Borispil – Helsinki eff 03JUN17 Increase from 12 to 13 weekly
Kiev Borispil – Madrid eff 06JUL17 Increase from 2 to 3 weekly
Kiev Borispil – Paris CDG eff 26MAR17 Increase from 13 to 14 weekly
Kiev Borispil – Rome eff 01JUN17 Increase from 11 to 12 weekly
Kiev Borispil – Stockholm Arlanda eff 28MAY17 Increase from 13 to 14 weekly

Jim Liu  - Data & Analysis Manager - Airlineroute, Routesonline

Ukraine International adds A330 Bangkok service in W16

Ukraine International Airlines since November 2016 has inducted leased Airbus A330 aircraft to its operation, currently serving Kiev Borispil – Bangkok route. The A330 is operating up to 4 weekly flights (overall service is 5 weekly) during winter season, however certain dates will still see Boeing 767 operation.

PS271 KBP1915 – 0955+1BKK 330 36
PS271 KBP1925 – 0955+1BKK 767 7
PS271 KBP1925 – 0955+1BKK 330 1
PS271 KBP2155 – 1245+1BKK 330 4
PS272 BKK0045 – 0715KBP 330 6
PS272 BKK1205 – 1825KBP 330 247
PS272 BKK1205 – 1825KBP 767 1

Jim Liu - Data & Analysis Manager - Airlineroute, Routesonline

Ukraine International Airlines launched two routes from Kiev Boryspil on 30 October, a 1,688-kilometre link to Düsseldorf and a 1,146-kilometre sector to Ankara

Flights to the German city will be flown five times weekly on the airline’s 737-800s, while the Turkish capital will be served daily on a mixture of the carrier’s 737 and E190 fleets. Commenting on the launch of flights between the capitals of Ukraine and Turkey, Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey, Andrii Sybiha, stated: “We are happy to have flights that connect Kiev and Ankara, the capital cities of the two countries. Launching these direct flights during this positive period of Turkey and Ukraine relations, in terms of social and economic conditions, is a constructive step for both nations.” Neither of the two routes launched by Ukraine International this week will face direct competition. Düsseldorf becomes the fourth German destination for Ukraine International from Boryspil, with the airline also connecting to Berlin Tegel, Frankfurt and Munich. Ankara becomes the third route for the airline to Turkey, with it already flying from Boryspil and Lviv to Istanbul Atatürk.

Aenna

Ukraine International Airlines to add eight aircraft in 2017

Ukraine International Airlines (PS, Kiev Boryspil) plans to add eight Boeing (BOE, Chicago O'Hare) aircraft to its fleet in 2017 to support its growth strategy, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Yuri Miroshnikov has told the Interfax news agency in an interview.

The decision comes following the delivery of eight B737-800 this year, with another aircraft of the same type to join the fleet by the end of 2016. The jets have been used to increase frequencies on popular routes and launch new destinations.

The Ukrainian carrier is now considering entering the Canadian market in 2018, a year ahead of initial plans. However, Miroshnikov concedes that in order to offset the route’s high seasonality, the airline must resume flights to east-bound markets such as Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Iran and has appealed to Ukrainian regulators to make this possible. Growth on this front is being hampered by Russia’s decision last year to block off its airspace to all Ukrainian carriers in a tit-for-tat move. Furthermore, the airline was recently forced to indefinitely postpone the resumption of scheduled services linking its Kiev Boryspil hub with Ashgabat due to issues with the bilateral air service agreement between the two countries.

UIA currently operates a fleet of thirty-nine aircraft, including three B737-300s, one B737-300(F), six B737-500s, sixteen B737-800s, four B737-900(ER)s and B767-300(ER)s each, as well as five EMB-190s. Its network covers sixty destinations across Europe, Asia and North America.

Photo:Alain Charpentier- TLS

UKRAINE INTERNATIONAL - B767-300W - UR-GEA

Ton Jochems - AYT

UKRAINE INTERNATIONAL - B737-900ER - UR-PSL

Ton Jochems - AYT

Ukraine Int'l Airlines ends B737-400 operations

Ukraine International Airlines has retired its last remaining B737-400 with YR-BAT (msn 25147) now in service for Romanian budget carrier, Blue Air (Romania) (0B, Bucharest Otopeni).

Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-900ER Planned Operations

Ukraine International Airlines since 04AUG13 has introduced Boeing 737-900ER aircraft, which currently operates on a number of scheduled service. In September and October 2013, Ukraine 737-900ER operation as follow.

Kiev – Almaty
PS537 KBP2000 – 0400+1ALA 73J D
PS538 ALA0540 – 0800KBP 73J D

Kiev – Larnaca
PS341 KBP0945 – 1240LCA 73J x1
PS342 LCA1440 – 1745KBP 73J x1

Service operates Day x14 from 10OCT13 to 26OCT13

In Winter 2013/14 season from 27OCT13 to 29MAR14, the 737-900ER mainly operates Kiev – Dubai 1 of 2 daily service (Previously reported on 30AUG13).

In Summer 2014 season from 30MAR14, the airline tentatively scheduled Boeing 737-900ER operation on following routes:
Kiev – Almaty 1 daily
Kiev – Astana 1 daily
Kiev – Barcelona 3 weekly
Kiev – Larnaca 4 weekly (6 weekly from 02JUN14, 1 daily from

Routes

UKRAINE INTERNATIONAL - B737-900ER - UR-PSK

Ton Jochems - AYT

Ukraine International Plans Boeing 737-900ER Kiev – Bangkok Service from Dec 2013

Ukraine International Airlines has revised planned Kiev – Bangkok seasonal operation, as per 05AUG13 GDS timetable/inventory display. The 3 weekly service is now due to start from 07DEC13 instead of 20JAN14. In addition, operational aircraft is displaying 737-900ER, instead of Boeing 767-300ER. At present time, the airline’s system is displaying nonstop service, despite being operated by a Boeing 737.

PS271 KBP2230 – 1310+1BKK 73J 136
PS272 BKK0220 – 0730KBP 73J 135

From 07DEC13 to 22DEC13, service operates Day 6 from KBP, Day 1 from BKK


UIA introduced its first Boeing 737-900ER aircraft to its operation in late-July 2013.
Routes

UIA expanded its fleet with new modern Boeing 737-900 aircraft

July 26, 2013, Ukraine International Airlines expanded its fleet with new Boeing 737-900 aircraft produced at Boeing production facilities in Seattle in 2013. The aircraft passed an official registration procedure in Ukraine and received UR-PSI registration number.

The new aircraft is one of the three modern Boeing 737-900 aircraft that UIA receives in June 2013 as part of fleet expansion and renewal program. The carrier also plans to receive the fourth Boeing 737-900 aircraft by the end of 2013.

The new aircraft is capable of carrying up to 20 business class passengers and 159 economy class passengers in a two-class layout and is certified for up to 189 passengers in a one-class layout.

The 737-900 aircraft has substantial operation advantages over medium-haul competing models including increased range with maximum takeoff weight. It also provides more comfort for passengers due to enlarged seat pitch – amounting to 34 inches in business class and 32 inches in economy class – that is a substantial benefit on long-distance flights.

The aircraft`s ability to cover distances up to 6000 km with maximum takeoff weight allows the airline to maintain minimum rates and to offer passengers more tickets at low prices.

The new UIA aircraft is powered by modern navigation equipment and CFM56-7BE engines meeting the latest noise regulations. The engines` advanced reliability level and reduced fuel use allow increasing the aircraft operation efficiency as well as cutting emissions level.

“The new Boeing 737-900 aircraft arrival to Ukraine is a landmark event for UIA. Due to intensive route network expansion and significant increase in the number of daily operated flights, the issue of fleet renewal and expansion is currently particularly pointed for us, – noted Yuri Miroshnikov, UIA President. – We hope that the additional flight resource will enable UIA to meet several top-priority challenges: to improve flight regularity rates, to significantly increase UIA fleet passenger capacity and, consequently, to better meet passengers` demand for the most popular destinations. We hope our passengers will shortly experience positive changes”.
UIA

Boeing 737-900 aircraft (UR-PSI) is scheduled to operate its first UIA-coded flight en route Kiev – Larnaca – Kiev (PS 341/342) on August 4, 2013.

Ukraine International Airlines expands fleet with E-190s, 737-900s

Ukraine International Airlines, which is moving forward with its fleet renewal and expansion program, has taken delivery of three new leased 140-seat Embraer E-190s. Three Boeing 737-900s are scheduled to arrive by early August, the airline said in a statement.



The carrier currently operates a mix of 28 Boeing 737 Classic/NGs and five E-190s. Its fleet has grown from 20 aircraft in 2012 to 36 by the end of the summer. Passenger numbers increased from “2.8 million in 2012 to 4.5 million this year,” president Yuri Miroshnikov told ATW. The carrier is also planning to introduce long-haul flights as soon as the airline completes its current expansion plans.

ATW
Photo:FPP - Lisboa

First ERJ-190 delivered for Ukraine International, UR-DSA

Mikko Haajanen - Helsinki - Vantaa, Finland

Ukraine International Airlines to add B777-200LRs and Aerosvit B737-800s

Ukraine International Airlines  is reportedly planning to add five ex-Air India B777-200(LR)s to its fleet to be able to take over the long-haul routes of Aerosvit Airlines from the end of March onwards. Aerosvit has a fleet of eight B767-300ERs including one aircraft operated by its sister carrier Dniproavia (Z6, Dnepropetrovsk (DNK)) but currently only operates two of the aircraft. Ukraine International has also taken over one of Aerosvit's B737-800 UR-PSE (MSN 38119) and plans to add a second aircraft shortly (MSN 38120).

Photo: Ton Jochems - AMS