Ukraine International Airlines (PS, Kyiv Boryspil) will cut its capacity and reduce its fleet by a quarter as unrest in the country's eastern provinces of Donetsk and Lugansk continues to grow. The news comes after Ukrainian authorities this week extended a moratorium on operations at Donetsk through June 30.
According to an interview with CAPA, airline CEO Yuri Miroshnikov says the planned fleet reduction will be achieved "by a combination of ending wet-leases, negotiating early returns with leasing companies and returning aircraft that already had leases set to expire in 2014." Among the most notable developments will be the exit of all B737 Classics - five B737-300 WIN.s, four B737-400s, and ten B737-500s - from the carrier's fleet by year-end.
The airline intends to offset the decline in its domestic operations. UIA intends to increase its international presence which recently saw the addition of Düsseldorf, Tehran Mehrabad and Stockholm Arlanda flights.
