Ukraine’s SkyUp takes its sixth B737NG, plans to double its fleet by year-end

The start-up hybrid airline received its latest aircraft painted in a FC Shakhtar livery (SkyUp)

Ukrainian start-up carrier SkyUp Airlines has taken delivery of its sixth aircraft, a Boeing 737-700 (registration number UR-SQE). Following a July 2018 marketing agreement in which the airline became the official carrier of FC Shakhtar Donetsk, the aircraft is dressed in the popular football club’s livery.

The 149-seat airliner will be used for the regular transportation of Shakhtar’s players as well as for normal commercial passenger flights.

From the beginning of the peak summer season, the airline plans to receive two more aircraft: a Boeing 737-800 to serve regional airports – and a 1999-vintage -800 version, which will be a standby aircraft for SkyUp Airlines. Also, by early May, the carrier is waiting for all its aircraft to be re-painted. Currently, two of SkyUp’s aircraft do not bear a livery.

According to Evgeny Khainatsky, the airline’s chief executive, SkyUp’s fleet will consist of 12 aircraft by the end of this year – two more than originally planned. Currently, SkyUp’s fleet consists of four 189-seat Boeing 737-800s and two 149-seat Boeing 737-700s. The airline performs charter flights on behalf of its parent, holiday travel company JoinUp!, as well as scheduled flights.