Ryanair said it will invest over US$3bn into rebuilding Ukraine’s aviation industry when the war with Russia comes to an end.
The Irish budget airline said it plans to base up to 30 new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft worth over US$3bn at the three main Ukrainian airports in Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa.
Additionally, Ryanair said it plans to offer 5mln seats to and from Ukraine in the first 12 months post-war, rising to 10m seats per year over a five-year period.
“The fastest way to rebuild and restore the Ukrainian economy will be with low-fare air travel,” said Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary.
“We currently employ hundreds of Ukrainian pilots, cabin crew and IT professionals, and we will look to create thousands of new jobs in aviation for Ukrainian citizens when Ukraine skies reopen.”
Ryanair unveiled the plans after a meeting in Kyiv with Oleksandr Kubrakov, the Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine and Minister for Infrastructure,
“I am grateful for the leadership in the recovery of our aviation industry, for the specific proposals and decisions of Ryanair, a loyal partner of Ukraine,” Kubrakov added.