Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) has closed the sale of tickets for all international flights until July 1 after analyzing the situation in the countries of the potential route network, as well as in Ukraine, UIA President Yevhenii Dykhne has reported.
According to him, the forecast for the development of the situation is deplorable and Ukraine is part of a global trend. This will lead to the industry reaching the 2020 targets only in 2023, he said.
Dykhne said that first and foremost, medium-haul flights would be resumed, which would affect the structure of the fleet of airlines that would begin to withdraw old and long-haul aircraft.
“The priority of the airlines will be a reduction in costs through the effective management of their fleet. They will use the expiration of contracts to reduce parks, as well as try to reduce lease payments,” he said.
He also believes that the crisis will lead to a change in service at airports and on board aircraft. Duty Free business lounges and shops will be temporarily closed. It will be forbidden to carry hand luggage in the cabin, and packaged food will be given instead of hot food, Dykhne said. (Ukrinform/Business World Magazine)