Ukraine’s SkyUp brings in its 11th Boeing 737NG

The latest addition, a 215-seat B737-900ER is the largest and longest-range aircraft in airline’s fleet (SkyUp)

Ukraine’s SkyUp Airlines has added a Boeing 737-900ER to its fleet and expects delivery of one more of the type in April, as the young hybrid-model carrier is forced to adjust its high season flying schedule to accommodate reduced seating capacities brought about by the hiatus in the deliveries of the two new leased Boeing 737 MAX-8s it has contracted.

The 2008-produced, CFM56-7B-powered Boeing 737-900ER (serial number 35227) arrived at SkyUp’s Kyiv Boryspil airport base late last week and has been given the Ukrainian UR-SQK registration. Just like the previous two aircraft of the type in SkyUp’s fleet, this unit was previously operated by the now defunct Indian airline Jet Airways and is provided on lease from GECAS. Prior to changing hands, the aircraft’s cabin was fitted with 215 Acro slim passenger seats and was also retrofitted with fuel-saving Split Scimitar winglets. The Ukrainian airline has installed winglets on all of its aircraft to help reduce fuel costs and increase range.

SkyUp, which currently operates 11 aircraft – two Boeing 737-700s, three -900ERs and six -800s and expects to add a fourth -900ER in April – is facing a total capacity shortfall of its planned target for the IATA 2020 summer navigation season. The airline had initially planned to take delivery of two MAX-8s in June, but the type’s delivery delays have forced it to adjust its schedule to 12 aircraft instead of 14.

SkyUp, founded by the owners of Join Up!, one of Ukraine’s major tour operators, launched operations in May, 2018. It served 1.709 million passengers in 2019, its first full year of operations.