UIA received the aircraft in question under terms and conditions of operational lease. New aircraft have passed an official registration procedure in Ukraine and received the following registration numbers: Boeing 737-500 aircraft – UR-GBB, UR-GBC, UR-GBE, UR-GBF, Boeing 737-300 aircraft – UR-GBD and Embraer- 190 aircraft – UR-EMA.
Thus, together with partners the carrier`s fleet currently consists of 26 Boeing aircraft and 1 Embraer-190 aircraft. Due to recent fleet expansion UIA passenger capacity was increased nearly 700 seats up.
“Implementation of the airline’s business model of a network carrier, ensuring optimal two-way connections with UIA flights to the East and the West, the North and the South at Kiev Boryspil International airport, sets UIA new challenges for the carrier`s fleet renewal and expansion, – noted Yervgeny Treskunov, UIA Executive Vice President Strategy and Development. – Acquisition of 6 new aircraft in March and April 2013 is yet another step on the road to UIA start-up as the leader of Ukrainian aviation industry maintaining far-reaching route network and undertaking integral socioeconomic mission”.
UIA operates Boeing aircraft since the airline`s foundation in 1992 and is currently the largest CEE Boeing aircraft operator. Moreover, UIA is the only Ukraine`s airline to independently perform all types of Boeing aircraft maintenance.
The airline`s short-term plan envisages UIA fleet expansion with next generation aircraft: two Boeing 737-800 and yet another Embraer- 190 aircraft in May 2013.