Ryanair’s Chief Executive Officer Michael O'Leary has presented a major investment plan worth USD 3 billion to revive the Ukrainian aviation industry.
This was discussed at a meeting with a Ukrainian Reconstruction Ministry team led by Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction/Minister of Community Development, Territories, and Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov, the CFTS portal reports.
"In a time of war, maintaining the suitability of the aviation infrastructure and the qualifications of personnel remains key for us. At the same time, the resumption of flights will be possible as soon as the security situation allows. However, we are already working on solutions and investment plans that will allow us to launch aircraft quickly," Kubrakov said.
The investment plan provides for basing up to 30 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft worth more than USD 3 billion at three major airports in Ukraine.
"This way, Ukrainian citizens will be able to access the lowest ticket prices in Europe," he said.
The plan also provides for the Ryanair low-cost airline’s return to Ukraine within eight weeks after the country’s airspace reopens. This will allow the airline to operate 600 weekly flights from Ukraine's major airports.
"Ryanair was the second largest airline in Ukraine before the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. Once that invasion is repelled successfully and the skies over Ukraine reopen, Ryanair will return to Ukraine, connecting Ukraine's main airports with over 20 EU capitals, and we are working closely with the Ukrainian government to rebuild Ukraine's aviation, industry, and economy," O’Leary said.
In addition, Ryanair plans to launch daily domestic flights between Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa as soon as these airports can handle them.
In total, Ryanair is ready to offer over 5 million seats to, from, and within Ukraine within the first 12 months of returning to the country.
