EU Airline Seeks to Restart Ukraine Flight Services
Wizz Air has outlined its strategy to resume operations swiftly following a peace agreement. The Hungarian low-cost carrier intends to quickly restart flights to Ukraine contingent upon a ceasefire with Russia. During his speech at the Logistics...
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Wizz Air has outlined its strategy to resume operations swiftly following a peace agreement.
The Hungarian low-cost carrier intends to quickly restart flights to Ukraine contingent upon a ceasefire with Russia. During his speech at the Logistics as a Driver of Economic Growth conference on Tuesday, CEO Jozsef Varadi detailed the airline’s plans for Ukraine, highlighting the potential of the country's market.
“We have a firm plan for the restart of Ukraine, because I think it can happen any moment,” Varadi stated. “Once a ceasefire is announced, then we would look at our restart,” he added.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency estimates that it could take six to eight weeks to reopen Ukrainian airspace after a ceasefire is declared. Varadi indicated that the airline is preparing to synchronize its operations with this expected timeline to ensure a prompt return.
Additionally, the carrier plans to restart its operating bases in Kiev and Lviv, aiming to provide around 5 million seats annually across 60 routes in the Ukrainian market.
In 2021, Wizz Air held a 10% share of the Ukrainian market, making it the third largest airline in that region, according to the Independent. Ukraine had closed its airspace to civilian flights on February 24, 2022, due to the heightened risks associated with ongoing conflict.
The positive outlook regarding a potential ceasefire coincides with a broader diplomatic initiative involving Russia and the US aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict. Since taking office in January, US President Donald Trump has initiated discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky to pursue a peace agreement, which has been followed by multiple rounds of negotiations between Russian and American officials.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
The Hungarian low-cost carrier intends to quickly restart flights to Ukraine contingent upon a ceasefire with Russia. During his speech at the Logistics as a Driver of Economic Growth conference on Tuesday, CEO Jozsef Varadi detailed the airline’s plans for Ukraine, highlighting the potential of the country's market.
“We have a firm plan for the restart of Ukraine, because I think it can happen any moment,” Varadi stated. “Once a ceasefire is announced, then we would look at our restart,” he added.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency estimates that it could take six to eight weeks to reopen Ukrainian airspace after a ceasefire is declared. Varadi indicated that the airline is preparing to synchronize its operations with this expected timeline to ensure a prompt return.
Additionally, the carrier plans to restart its operating bases in Kiev and Lviv, aiming to provide around 5 million seats annually across 60 routes in the Ukrainian market.
In 2021, Wizz Air held a 10% share of the Ukrainian market, making it the third largest airline in that region, according to the Independent. Ukraine had closed its airspace to civilian flights on February 24, 2022, due to the heightened risks associated with ongoing conflict.
The positive outlook regarding a potential ceasefire coincides with a broader diplomatic initiative involving Russia and the US aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict. Since taking office in January, US President Donald Trump has initiated discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky to pursue a peace agreement, which has been followed by multiple rounds of negotiations between Russian and American officials.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
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