Ryanair puts $3 billion behind commitment to return to war-torn Ukraine

The carrier was Ukraine’s second-largest airline before the Russian invasion and has said it will invest more than $3 billion once safe to do so. Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary led a delegation to Kyiv’s Boryspil airport where it also met officials from airports in Lviv and Odesa.

Ryanair said it would resume flights “within eight weeks of the reopening of Ukraine air space”. It added: “This will see 600 weekly flights being operated by Ryanair aircraft from the main airports of Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa, connecting these cities to over 20 EU capitals.” 

In addition, Ryanair plans to open daily domestic flights between Kyiv, Lviv and Odesa “as soon as those airports are able to handle them”. It noted Kyiv’s airport was in good condition and ready to resume operations in what is Europe’s largest country by land mass as soon as the Russian invasion ceases.

Oleksiy Dubrevskyy, Boryspil airport chief executive, said: "The visit of Ryanair senior management to Boryspil airport is a powerful signal that the largest airline in Europe sees huge potential in the Ukrainian air transport market. 

“We, meanwhile, are ready to move from strategic planning to specific operational actions when the airspace becomes open and safe for civil aviation. I strongly believe that Boryspil airport will remain the main air gate for the return of our citizens to Ukraine and will continue to play a leading role in the recovery of the Ukrainian economy."

The airline said it would base aircraft at all three main airports. “Ryanair plans in the first 12 months post-war to offer over five million seats to/from and within Ukraine, and this will build to over 10 million seats over a five- year period.”

Ryanair’s O’Leary added: “Having previously also served Kharkiv and Kherson airports prior to the invasion, Ryanair will return to serving those airports too as soon as the infrastructure has been restored.”