Ukraine LCC startup SkyUp Airlines orders 5 Boeing 737 MAXs

Ukrainian startup LCC SkyUp Airlines has signed a firm order for five Boeing MAX aircraft, comprising three 737 MAX 10s and two 737 MAX 8s, making it the first Eastern European carrier to order a MAX 10. Total value of the order is $624m at list prices. According to SkyUp general director Yevhen Khainatsky, the Kiev-based airline expects to receive its air operator’s certificate from the Ukraine state aviation service this month, and plans to begin charter operations in April from several Ukraine cities to 16 international leisure destinations, including Egypt, Spain, Turkey and Dubai. At first, the airline will use leased 189-seat Boeing 737-800 NGs, built in 2001, 2002 and 2011, according to a statement released by the airline at its launch announcement in December 2017. Scheduled domestic Ukraine service will launch in May; international service will begin later in the year, with service from Kiev to Barcelona, Dubai and Larnaca, Cyprus. The airline is looking to attain a total of 12 737 NG or 737 MAX aircraft by 2022.<br/>