Friday, December 22, 2017, Ukraine International Airlines enhanced its fleet with a brand new Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft manufactured at Boeing facilities in Seattle. Therefore, the leading Ukraine’s carrier has successfully completed its 2017 fleet renewal and expansion program.
The aircraft passed an official registration procedure in Ukraine and received the UR-UIA registration number. The aircraft accommodates 186 passengers in two-class seating configuration. UIA expects to operate the new Boeing 737-800 NG across its medium-haul route network. Thursday, December 28, the UR-UIA is scheduled to operate the first flight under PS code between Kiev and Amsterdam.
“Looking back on the year, I may safely say that we have successfully met all fleet development objectives – noted Yevgen Churyumov, Head of UIA Fleet Projects. – In 2017, we received five Boeing 737 NGs, including two brand new aircraft right off the production line, and substantially increased our capacity. Simultaneously, by decommissioning three Boeing 737 Classic aircraft we managed to further renew our fleet. The aircraft that arrived today is special because of its registration number chosen to mark the UIA 25th anniversary. In Q1 2018, we expect to receive yet another Boeing 737-800 aircraft, UR-PSZ. Therefore, we will collect the whole PS series alphabet from A to Z. As soon as we get the UR-PSZ, we will continue the UR-UIx registration series commenced with our shiny new UR-UIA aircraft.”
UIA keeps reducing the aircraft average age. Back in 2016, UIA enhanced fleet with Boeing aircraft with the average age of 10 years, while in 2017 the figure has been leveled off to 6 years.
Ukraine International operates 43 aircraft including 26 medium haul Boeing 737 NG aircraft with the average age of 8.7 years. Currently, UIA fleet’s average age amounts to 10.9 years.
