Ryanair pledges to invest $3 billion to restart aviation in Ukraine

Ryanair has pledged to resume flights to and from Ukraine within eight weeks of its airspace reopening and to invest $3 billion in restoring its operations when the country’s war with Russia ends.

Michael O’Leary, Ryanair group chief executive, met representatives of the Ukraine government in Kyiv today and confirmed the carrier’s post-war investment plan.

After meeting deputy prime minister for restoration and minister for infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov, he said: “Ryanair remains a committed partner in rebuilding and investing in Ukraine aviation.”

O’Leary also met the heads of Ukraine’s three main airports – Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa – at Boryspil International Airport outside Kviv.

He said: “Today we saw, in the most difficult conditions of war, the Boryspil airport team demonstrate its professionalism and [that] it is fully ready for the resumption of flights.”

O’Leary noted: “Ryanair was Ukraine’s second-largest airline before the unlawful Russian invasion in February 2022.

“Once the skies over Ukraine have reopened for commercial aviation, Ryanair will charge back into Ukraine, linking the main Ukraine airports with over 20 EU capitals.”

He added: “We’re working closely with the Ukraine government to rebuild Ukraine’s aviation, industry and its economy.”

O’Leary said Ryanair would also return to Kharkiv and Kherson airports as soon as their infrastructure is restored.

He noted Ryanair currently employs hundreds of Ukrainian pilots, cabin crew and IT professionals and said: “We will look to creating thousands of new jobs in aviation for Ukrainian citizens when Ukraine skies reopen.

“Ukraine is a country of 40 million people, many of whom have been dispersed across Europe over the past year. We look forward to being able to reunite these families as soon as it is safe to do so.

“We will invest heavily in partnership with the Ukrainian government and Ukraine’s main airports as we grow to carry up to 10 million passengers a year to and from Ukraine once we are allowed to do so by European and Ukraine regulatory authorities.”

Ryanair said it plans to offer more than five million seats to, from and within Ukraine in the first 12 months following a resumption of flights, including daily domestic flights between Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa, and double that capacity within five years.

O’Leary said Ryanair would base up to 30 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft at the three main airports.

Kubrakov described Ryanair as “a loyal partner of Ukraine” and said: “Maintaining the operability of the aviation infrastructure and personnel skills remains vital for us in the conditions of war.

“The resumption of flights will be possible as soon as the security situation allows. We are already working on solutions and investment plans to enable aircraft to fly quickly.”

Boryspil Airport chief executive Oleksiy Dubrevskyy said: “The visit of Ryanair senior management to Boryspil Airport is a powerful signal that the largest airline in Europe sees huge potential in the Ukrainian air transport market.

“We are ready to move from strategic planning to specific operational actions when the airspace becomes open and safe for civil aviation.”