Strong outlook for UIA

UKRAINE International Airlines (UIA) reported a 20 per cent increase in cargo tonnage in June, transporting 779 tons during the month. The airline expects this trend to continue with the arrival of larger capacity aircraft, plans to add a second freighter to its fleet and further expansion to its network.

The increase was thanks to the airline taking delivery of four Boeing 737-800 aircraft in 2009/10, which boosted cargo capacity to 4,000 kilos per flight. These are being used on UIA’s routes linking Kiev with Alma-Ata, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Tbilisi, Tel Aviv, Rome, Barcelona and Lisbon.

Peter Kukharchuk, UIA’s director, cargo and mail, said: “Based on our performance in the first six months of the year, we are very optimistic for the rest of 2010. Over the next 12 months we plan to develop our freighter services and UIA Cargo’s main hub at Kiev’s Borispol Airport.”