SkyUp Airlines

In 2016, SkyUp became a registered company in Kyiv, Ukraine. On 14 December 2017, Minister of Infrastructure Volodymyr Omelyan announced the launch of a new national private air carrier named SkyUp Airlines. The main shareholders of the company were ACS-Ukraine Ltd, Yuri Alba and Tatyana Alba, who also owned the tour operator Join UP!, which was expected to cooperate with the airline to provide charter flights for holiday packages.

Plans for the first year included concentrating on international charter flights to popular summer destinations, as well as scheduled flights within Ukraine and to several international destinations. Tickets sales were set to begin in April 2018. SkyUp also intends to cooperate with Ukraine International Airlines.{{cite web|url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/portal/news/62463-ukraines-skyup-to-launch-in-april-2018|title=Ukraine's SkyUp to launch in April 2018|date=15 December 2017|publisher=ch-aviation.com|accessdate=24 March 2018}}

The company started operations on 21 May 2018 with a flight from Kyiv-Zhuliany to Sharm El Sheikh.{{cite news|title=Ukrainian Airline SkyUp Performs First Flight|url=https://en.cfts.org.ua/news/ukrainian_airline_skyup_performs_first_flight|accessdate=24 May 2018|publisher=cfts.org.ua|date=23 May 2018}} In March 2018, SkyUp Airlines and Boeing finalised a firm order for the purchase of two Boeing 737 8 MAX and three Boeing 737 MAX 10 due to be delivered in 2023. Additionally the airline has the option to purchase another five aircraft.{{cite web|url=https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=130151|title=Boeing, SkyUp Airlines Finalize Order for Five 737 MAX Airplanes|date=20 March 2018|publisher=ch-aviation.com|accessdate=24 March 2018}} At its launch the airline intended to operate charter flights from both Kyiv-Boryspil and Kyiv-Zhuliany, as well as Kharkiv, Lviv, Odesa and other cities in Ukraine to a total of sixteen destinations: Alicante, Antalya, Barcelona, Bodrum, Burgas, Dalaman, Dubai, Hurghada, Larnaca, Palma de Mallorca, Nice, Rimini, Sharm El Sheikh, Tenerife, Tivat, Tel Aviv and Varna.{{cite web|url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/469838.html|title=New airline SkyUp to start operating from April 2018|date=14 December 2018|publisher=interfax.com.ua|accessdate=24 March 2018}} Following the launch of the charter operations, the airline planned to commence domestic services from Odesa to Kyiv, Kharkiv and Lviv in late May or early June 2018. The airline also intended to operate international services from Kyiv to Barcelona, Dubai and Larnaca.

In February 2019, the airline announced it would be moving its main base from the Zhuliany to Boryspil from the beginning of the summer schedule. The airline said that the decision to change the home airport was made due to restrictions on the operation of aircraft at Zhuliany Airport.{{cite web|url=https://112.international/society/skyup-to-move-from-zhuliany-to-boryspil-airport-37434.html|title=Ukraine's SkyUP to move from Zhuliany to Boryspil Airport|website=112.international|date=28 February 2019}} Also in 2019 SkyUp was hit by court attack{{cite news|date=September 6, 2019|title=The saga of David and Goliath on the outskirts of Kyiv|work=Atlantic Council|url=https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/the-saga-of-david-and-goliath-on-the-outskirts-of-kyiv/|access-date=16 March 2021}} with controversial guilty verdicts resulted in their license being suspended. However, journalists revealed that the woman, who allegedly appealed to the court, said she had never been SkyUp’s client and did not appeal to the court.{{Cite news|title="Позивачка" до SkyUp дійшла до Верховного суду, щоб зупинити апеляцію авіаперевізника|url=https://www.radiosvoboda.org/a/news-schemes-pozyvachka-do-skyup/30071410.html|access-date=2021-03-16|website=Радіо Свобода|date=23 July 2019 |language=uk |last1=Свобода |first1=Радіо }} Prime Minister of Ukraine, as well as Minister of Infrastructure called the court attack suspicious.{{Cite news|title=Fingers point to monopolist Ukraine International Airlines as new low-coster SkyUp hit by court attack|work=Euromaidan press|url=http://euromaidanpress.com/2019/07/02/monopolist-ukraine-international-airlines-suspected-behind-court-attack-on-new-low-coster-skyup/|access-date=16 March 2021}} Later guilty verdicts and license suspension were recalled, while the judge, responsible for the illegal verdict, was dismissed.{{Cite web|title=The HCJ dismissed judge of Baryshivskyi district court of Kyiv region Lytvynenko O.L. from office for substantial disciplinary offense|url=https://hcj.gov.ua/en/news/hcj-dismissed-judge-baryshivskyi-district-court-kyiv-region-lytvynenko-ol-office-substantial}}

On 20 February 2020, one of the airline's planes was chartered by the Ukrainian government to evacuate citizens from Wuhan during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was back then not a pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://dpsu.gov.ua/ua/news/U-Harkovi-prikordonniki-zabezpechili-oformlennya-evakuyovanih-z-KNR-gromadyan/|title = (ВІДЕО) У Харкові прикордонники забезпечили оформлення евакуйованих з КНР громадян}}

In 2021 SkyUp became the first Ukrainian airline to launch direct flights from Saudi Arabia to Ukraine.{{Cite web |date=2021-06-22 |title=We open Ukraine to the world: SkyUp brings the first tourists from Saudi Arabia |url=https://eba.com.ua/en/vidkryvayemo-ukrayinu-svitu-skyup-pryviz-pershyh-turystiv-iz-saudivskoyi-araviyi/ |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=European Business Association |language=en}}

In October 2021, a new uniform for flight attendants was introduced: high-heeled shoes were replaced by sneakers, and trouser suits instead of skirts.{{Cite web |date=11 October 2021 |title=Flight attendants trade heels for sneakers on Ukraine's SkyUp Airlines |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/skyup-airlines-ukraine-flight-attendant-uniforms/index.html |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=CNN |language=en}}

SkyUp Airlines won the Heart of Airspace nomination according to the Ukraine Tourism Awards 2021.{{Cite web |title=Winners of the Ukraine Tourism Awards 2021 |url=https://visitukraine.today/blog/55/winners-of-the-ukraine-tourism-awards-2021 |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=visitukraine.today |language=en}}

On 24 February 2022, coinciding with the closure of Ukrainian airspace to civil aviation traffic, SkyUp canceled all flights through 6 March 2022.{{cite web|url=https://skyup.aero/en/news/pasazhiram-reisv-skyup-z-vilotami-26-28-lyutogo_426|title=To the Passengers of Cancelled SkyUp Flights|website=SkyUp Airlines|date=25 February 2022|access-date=4 March 2022}} Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, the airline has been conducting evacuation and humanitarian flights,{{Cite web |title=SkyUp, together with Israeli humanitarian funds, transported 16 tons of cargo · p. 429 |url=https://skyup.aero/en/news/skyup-spilno-z-gumanitarnimi-fondami-izrayilyu-transportuvala-16-tonn-vantazhu_429 |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=SkyUp Airlines |language=en}} as well as providing wet leasing for its fleet.{{Cite web |title=SkyUp's call to the international business community: we can help Ukraine together · p. 431 |url=https://skyup.aero/en/news/zaklik-skyup-do-mizhnarodnoyi-biznes-spilnoti-budemo-korisni-ukrayini-razom_431 |access-date=2022-03-22 |website=SkyUp Airlines |language=en}}

In May 2023 SkyUp announced the formation of a new company based in Malta named SkyUp MT, and a Boeing 737-800 registered 9H-SAU was transferred to it. They announced that it would perform wet-leasing flights with the hope that scheduled services within Europe could eventually be operated.{{cite web |last1=Kaminski-Morrow |first1=David |title=Ukraine's SkyUp creates Maltese carrier to establish EU presence |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/airlines/ukraines-skyup-creates-maltese-carrier-to-establish-eu-presence/153293.article |website=FlightGlobal |publisher=DVV Media International |access-date=15 May 2023}} The airline has an ICAO code of SEU with a callsign of Sky Malta.{{Cn|date=January 2025}}

In December 2023 one of SkyUp's Boeing 737s was wet leased to Air Niugini.{{cite news |last1=Curran |first1=Andrew |title=Air Niugini adds wet-leased B737 capacity |url=https://www.ch-aviation.com/news/135731-air-niugini-adds-wet-leased-b737-capacity |access-date=16 February 2024 |work=ch-aviation |date=5 January 2024 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Luma |first1=Dale |title=Air Niugini leases SkyUp plane |url=https://www.postcourier.com.pg/air-niugini-leases-skyup-plane/ |access-date=16 February 2024 |work=Post Courier |date=4 January 2024}}

On 12 December 2024, SkyUp announced that in 2025 they will start scheduled flights from Chișinău to Alicante, Athens, Barcelona, Heraklion, Larnaca, Lisbon, Nice, Palma de Mallorca, Paris and Thessaloniki.{{Cite web|url=https://news.gtp.gr/2024/12/12/skyup-direct-flights-from-chisinau-to-thessaloniki-and-heraklion-in-2025/ |title=SkyUp: Direct Flights from Chișinău to Thessaloniki and Heraklion in 2025}}{{Cite web|url=http://lowcostavia.com.ua/skyup-povertayetsya-i-zapuskaye-8-novyh-rejsiv-2025/ |title=SkyUp повертається і запускає 8 нових рейсів!}}

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{{Main|List of SkyUp destinations}}

As of October 2021, SkyUp serves 64 scheduled year-round and seasonal destinations from airports in Ukraine, some of which are operated as charters. The airline mainly serves routes throughout Europe and the Middle East.[https://skyup.aero/en/best skyup.aero - All flights] retrieved 10 October 2020

As of April 2023, SkyUp Airlines operates the following aircraft:{{Cn|date=January 2025}}

• On 15 April 2023, a SkyUp Airlines Boeing 737-800 was destroyed at Khartoum Airport during fighting between government forces and the Rapid Support Forces in the 2023 Sudan clashes. There were no reported fatalities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/saudi-airline-involved-accident-airport-khartoum-sudan-2023-4|title=A Saudi Arabian airline said an A330 plane was involved in an 'accident' at Khartoum airport in Sudan|first=Ryan|last=Hogg|website=Business Insider}}
• On 3 January 2024, a SkyUp Airlines Boeing 737-800 reported loss of cabin pressure at cruise altitude, and made an emergency landing in Warsaw. There were no injuries.{{Cite web |url=https://avherald.com/h?article=5133ad47 |title=Incident: SkyUp B738 near Warsaw on Jan 3rd 2024, loss of cabin pressure |last=Hradecky |first=Simon |date=4 November 2024 |website=The Aviation Herald |access-date=7 November 2024 }}
• On 7 July 2025, a SkyUp Airlines Airbus A321neo operated by PLAY Airlines while flying from Rzeszów to Sharm el-Sheikh, the plane flew into a hailstorm, damaging its nose and cockpit window. The plane was unable to return to the airport due to weather conditions, so it was diverted to Katowice. No one was injured.{{Cite web |title=Pęknięte szyby i kadłub samolotu |url=http://www.lancut.gada.pl/aktualnosc,8154,0,0,0,Pekniete-szyby-i-kadlub-samolotu.html |access-date=2025-07-09 |website=lancut.gada.pl}}

The aircraft and uniform of SkyUp flight attendants appear in Max Barskih’s video "Just Fly".{{Citation |title=MAX BARSKIH — Just Fly (Official Video) | date=19 August 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdsvO9RgiAQ |language=en |access-date=2022-03-22}}

• List of airlines of Ukraine

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{{Commons category-inline|SkyUp Airlines}}

• {{Official website|http://www.skyup.aero/}}

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Category:Airlines of Ukraine

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Category:Ukrainian companies established in 2016