The Antonov state aircraft manufacturing enterprise is interested in use of the airfield in Gostomel to serve low-cost airlines and denies media reports claiming that the state enterprise was not ready to implement the relevant task set by the Ukrainian prime minister. Antonov announced this in a statement, the CFTS portal reports.
According to Antonov, it has already set up a working group to prepare a business plan for use of the Kyiv-Antonov airfield in Gostomel for servicing low-cost airlines.
"This airfield is certified by ICAO as a category-1 airfield. It can handle aircraft around the clock and throughout the year. The airport is currently used as a port for cargo aircraft and flight tests. Development of its infrastructure to provide passenger services will be useful not only for the airport, but also for the region as a whole. Creation of new jobs will be one of the important factors," Antonov said in the statement.
Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman has called for development of the Gostomel airport and its transformation into the bass airport for low-cost airlines, including the Ryanair low-cost airline (Ireland).
The Cabinet of Ministers decided at a meeting on Monday to continue efforts to lure low-cost airlines to Ukraine, as well as to consider providing the necessary working conditions for low-cost airlines at the Boryspil airport (Kyiv region) or the Kyiv (Zhulyany) airport for a period of one year as a temporary solution while converting the Gostomel airport into an airport for low-cost airlines during this period.
