Ukraine International’s passenger traffic grows by eight per cent

UIA carried nearly four million passengers in the first half of this year (UIA)

Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) carried 3.84 million passengers during the first half of 2019. In the January-June period, Ukraine’s largest airline’s passenger traffic increased by nearly eight per cent over the same period of 2018. Transit traffic on UIA’s scheduled flights was 49.3 per cent, down by almost three per cent, though.

Within the reported timeframe, UIA operated 30,000 flights, marginally less (-0.2 per cent) than in 2018. Nevertheless, the airline’s the load factor increased and amounted to 79 per cent versus 77 per cent in the previous year period.

In the first six months of 2019, UIA’s flight dispatch reliability was 83 per cent compared with 77 per cent in 2018.

During the period, UIA’s mail and cargo traffic reached 11,000 tonnes, six per cent higher than for the same period last year.

Since the turn of the year, UIA has enhanced its flight network, has launched two new international scheduled services and increased its fleet with the addition of two new medium-range, narrow-body Embraer 195 aircraft, bringing the fleet size to 42 aircraft: three Boeing 777-200ERs, four Boeing 767-300ERs; 24 Boeing 737-800s, four Boeing 737-900s, five Embraer 190s, and two Embraer 195s.

Earlier this year Ukraine International again successfully completed the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) and received the relevant, valid certification through to June 17, 2021. The IOSA audit covers all aspects of an airline’s operations affecting flight safety, including maintenance and flight operation, ground handling, cargo transportation, aviation safety and company management.

“Flight safety has always been and will always remain UIA’s top priority,” insists Evgeniya Satska, the airline’s communications director. “In 2005, UIA underwent its first IOSA audit. We undergo the IOSA audit every two years and each time we receive the new IOSA validation. This year we have received our eighth certificate.”