History and activities

The SkyUp plane made its first flight on May 21, 2018. In just over a year, the brand entered the top ten most dynamic European airlines according to the Anker Report; in 2021, we won first place in the "Heart of the Airspace" nomination by the Ukraine Tourism Awards, we started 2022 as second among Ukrainian airlines in terms of traffic volume, and we entered the international market. In 2022, SkyUp CEO Dmytro Seroukhov was recognized as the most effective executive in the European air travel market, according to the professional publication aeroTELEGRAPH.

Before the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, we worked according to a hybrid model combining regular and charter flights. With the closure of the Ukrainian sky, SkyUp began operating in Europe. The main areas of activity were ACMI contracts, special flights and charter flights ordered by tour operators, foundations, associations, sports clubs, etc.

In 2022, SkyUp Airlines operated 7,713 flights and transported 1.08 million passengers to 204 airports on 627 routes, including flights under ACMI contracts, according to the airline's internal statistics. Quick adaptation to new realities and reorientation of activities helped preserve and secure the work of the team — about 1,200 employees.

Partners and projects

In the summer of 2022 alone, SkyUp successfully passed more than 20 audits from different airlines. Air Albania, AIR MOLDOVA, Corendon, Corendon Europe, ETF AIRWAYS, FLYONE, Freebird Airlines, Marabu, Smartwings, SunAir, Tailwind, Tunisair, WizzAir Abu Dhabi, WizzAir Hungary and WizzAir Malta have been partners of the brand since the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

In 2022-2023, the brand will develop a number of social projects. SkyUp joined the presidential initiative UNITED24 — collected €10,000 for medical needs and "dressed" one of the planes in a special The Power of Freedom livery to popularize the initiative and support of Ukraine around the world. Together with FC Shakhtar, as part of the jointly organized series of Shakhtar Global Tour for Peace charity matches, we collected more than €1 million, which was donated to volunteer organizations, doctors, and also aimed at helping Ukrainian children affected by the war. We started to develop barrier-free travel — together with LEVCHYK SPECTRUM HUB from the Future for Ukraine Foundation, we created a project that helps organize the most accessible and comfortable vacation for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their families.

In May 2023, SkyUp MT, a European airline with Maltese registration and certificates, was opened. As of the beginning of the summer of 2023, SkyUp MT operates flights under ACMI-contracts. The nearest plans are to launch regular flights.

SkyUp is a strategic partner of tour operators operating under the Join UP! brand. Together, they form the UPfamily group of businesses.

The SkyUp fleet

As of August 2023, the SkyUp brand has 10 medium-haul Boeing-737 aircraft in its fleet, the average age of which is 14 years. All aircraft are equipped with modern and reliable CFM56 engines.

The Boeing 737-800 Next Generation has an improved Sky Interior design with LED interior lighting and more convenient and spacious luggage shelves. Multicolored interior lighting, which is selected depending on the phase of the flight, creates an atmosphere of comfort and allows passengers to better endure long flights.

Part of the fleet has been re-equipped with Geven seats, designed by the famous Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro. All other aircraft are fitted with Acro seats. It is planned to install Geven seats on all planes. These seats are more comfortable and ergonomic for passengers, and also provide additional space, which makes the flight more comfortable and pleasant.

The SkyUp brand includes: