Ukrainian carrier SkyUp received its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) and Air Operator’s Licence (AOL) in Malta on 5 May. This is the first time that the company has official representation in a member state of the European Union.
According to the company’s own press release, the certificate will allow it to effectively fulfil its lease agreements, expand its operations in the European Union countries and plan the opening of new air routes in the continent in the future.
See also: SkyUp and United24 raise funds for Ukrainian soldiers
SkyUp receives its operator’s certificate in Malta and registers its first aircraft
«SkyUp brand with Ukrainian DNA is international now», noted Oleksandr Alba, co-owner of the company. «We are one of the first to do so in the history of Ukrainian aviation», he remarked. He also stated that from now on the company will have new opportunities to expand its business.
Alba said: «Our ambitious goal is to show the whole world that Ukrainian brands can compete with European ones, and in the long run, be recognized as the best in Europe and the world thanks to a special service».
«Ukrainian brand SkyUp, which has changed Ukrainian civil aviation during the five years of operation, is now also available in European Union countries as well», said Dmytro Seroukhov, CEO at SkyUp Airlines and and Accountable Manager at SkyUp MT.
«SkyUp MT team is sincerely grateful to the Civil Aviation Directorate Malta for the professional approach, openness and the provided opportunity to fully work in the European Union market», Seroukhov added.
SkyUp MT has already registered its first aircraft. It is a twelve-year-old, 189-seats Boeing 737-800 with Maltese registration number 9H-SAU. It was previously based in Ukraine. The company expects to take delivery of more aircraft by the end of 2023, although these would come on the basis of new contracts.
To continue in spite of everything
Since the beginning of the war following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the company has had to adapt its model to try to survive the total suspension of scheduled commercial flights in the country.
During the first days and weeks of the conflict, SkyUp flew Ukrainian citizens to Israel and Portugal from Chisinau, Moldova, and from the Polish cities of Warsaw and Lublin. It also helped transport international humanitarian aid to airports near the Ukrainian border.
It then offered aircraft and crew leasing services to other airlines outside Ukraine on wet-lease agreements and operated for the tour operator Join UP!, a commercial partner of the airline.
With the country’s airports still closed and airspace restricted for civil operations, the provision of services outside Ukraine remainsas one of the most viable options for generating revenue. Of course, the desire of the company’s employees and management is to return to operating on Ukrainian soil.
See also: To continue in spite of everything: Ukrainian airline SkyUp takes delivery of a new Boeing 737-800
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