New Ukrainian airline SkyUp Airlines (Kiev) and Boeing Corporation signed a contract for $ 624 million to produce five high-tech aircraft of the Boeing 737 MAX series, the airline's press service said..
"In Ukrainian aviation deals of this magnitude have not been in the past 10 years. SkyUp Airlines is the first airline in Ukraine, which signed a contract for the delivery of new-generation aircraft Boeing 737 MAX and made the first tranche, "- stated in the message.
This order includes two new-generation aircraft Boeing 737 MAX 8 and three medium-haul airliners Boeing 737 MAX 10. The delivery of the first five aircraft directly from the plant in Seattle is expected in 2023.
According to the terms of the contract, there is an option for the additional order of five more aircraft of the same models with similar delivery dates. Thus, the fleet of SkyUp Airlines will be replenished with 10 newest aircraft in 2023-2024.
The aircraft of the Boeing 737 MAX family are equipped with modern engines CFM International LEAP-1B, Advanced Technology wings, which further improves performance in long-haul flights, and improved interior design Boeing Sky Interior. These aircraft models are successfully used by such airlines: Qatar Airways, Lot Polish Airlines, Virgin Australia, Air Canada, flydubai.
"We are pleased that the fleet of SkyUp Airlines will be produced by Boeing. Within six months we studied all modifications of aircraft, compared the performance of competing companies, made calculations for our flight plans. Boeing 737 MAX have replaced the generation of the Boeing 737 Next Generation and have excellent performance - technical reliability, low operating costs, a high level of comfort and, most importantly, the safety of passengers. That is why we chose the high-tech Boeing 737 MAX, "- cited in the company's message, its general director Yevgeny Haynacki.
According to him, Boeing 737 MAX 8 with a capacity of 189 seats will allow the company to perform medium-haul flights, and the Boeing 737 MAX 10 with a capacity of 230 seats will ensure the implementation of charter programs on mass destinations such as Turkey, Egypt, Spain and.
"Both types of aircraft have low operating costs, which will allow the airline to significantly reduce the cost of flights and offer the market a quality product at an affordable price," added E. Hajnacki.
As reported, the Ukrainian airline SkyUp Airlines plans to begin flights from April 2018. In the first year of operation international charter flights are planned, as well as the opening of regular domestic and international flights.
From the middle of summer it is planned to launch the first regular flights on the routes Kiev-Odessa and Kharkov-Odessa, and also sales will be opened for international flights to Barcelona and Larnaca.
To date, according to the company, its fleet consists of three aircraft Boeing 737 Next Generation.
Skyap Airlines is registered in Kiev in June 2016. The founder of SkyUp was OOO "ACS-Ukraine" Tatiana and Yuri Alba, who also owns the tour operator JoinUp!.