Ukraine’s SkyUp adds a Boeing 737 to its fleet for European routes

Ukrainian airline SkyUp has expanded its fleet with a Boeing 737-800 that it will employ on international routes in Europe, and, at some point, in Ukraine

SkyUp switched to cargo and wet leasing operations after Russia invaded Ukraine, closing the country down to commercial air travel and leaving SkyUp looking for new outlets for its fleet of Boeing 737s.

The new Boeing aircraft joins its fleet of 12 Boeing 737s, comprising 2 Boeing 737-700 NG with 149 seats and 10 Boeing 737-800 NG for 189 seats.

The latest addition to the fleet will also seat 189 passengers and be re-registered as UR-SQM. SkyUp received the narrowbody aircraft on August 16, 2022.

“This fall, the UR – SQM will be painted in the classic SkyUp livery,” the airline commented in a press release. The aircraft “will fly on international flights in Europe and, as soon as the opportunity arises, in Ukraine,” SkyUp specified.

SkyUp had originally wanted to expand its fleet to 22 aircraft in 2022 and carry 3 million passengers. With war imminent, it moved its fleet out of Ukraine and has since focused on cargo and wet lease, as well as evacuation and humanitarian flights.