Ryanair wants to be the first airline to return to Ukraine once sky is opened
Photo: Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary (Getty Images)
Ryanair wants to be the first airline to return to Ukraine once the sky is opened. There is already a plan to launch 25 routes, states Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary, according to The Independent.
"We want to be the first airline back into Ukraine, and we have a plan to run about 25 routes to and from Kyiv and Lviv within six weeks of the sky reopening. We need the six weeks just to fill those flights," he said.
Ryanair's CEO told The Independent that within six weeks of the sky reopening over Ukraine, his airline will establish bases in both cities and will fly to approximately 25 destinations, including, most likely, London.
O'Leary noted that while Odesa airport has been damaged, both Lviv and Kyiv could be ready for passengers quickly.
"They run the baggage carousel in Kyiv every week to make sure that everything is working – they’re ready to go," he said.
Opening the sky over Ukraine
The possibility of reopening the sky over Ukraine has been discussed for quite some time. Back in November of last year, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated that it is currently impossible to partially open the airspace over Ukraine due to security concerns.
At the same time, in October 2024, Ukraine presented a roadmap for reopening the airspace under martial law conditions.
Additionally, RBC-Ukraine recently reported that Boryspil Airport is ready to resume accepting and dispatching passenger flights within a month of the sky being opened.
