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Ukraine International Airlines has suspended most operations until at least April 3, 2020.
The airline issued this statement:
Exceptional circumstances caused by the spread of Covid-19 strongly affect aviation. The airlines must quickly react to and strictly comply with decisions and regulations of the authorities of their origin and destination countries that are imposed at a very short notice.
Due to numerous restrictions, like any other international carrier, Ukraine International is forced to adjust its flight schedule. Meantime, the airline will make every effort to help passengers reach their homes and resume operations as usual as soon as the restrictions are lifted (on April 3, 2020, – to be confirmed).
In the coming days, we will operate as much as possible according to our schedule. Most flights will be operated in full economy cabin configuration to increase the aircraft capacity.
If a country bans Ukrainains from entry, but flights are allowed, we will do our utmost to organize their departure to Ukraine.
Entry and exit restrictions may be imposed and lifted within short timeframe. Therefore, we strongly advise everyone to inform themselves about the situation in the IATA Travel Centre.
Recently, the number of reticketing inquiries has increased exponentially. Our staff works 24/7 to process every request, find the best solution to each individual case, and provide feedback to every passenger ASAP.
We apologize if you failed to quickly reach us. Our communication channels are overloaded over the period of force-majeure.
First off, we aim at helping passengers who planned to or, responding to restriction measures, will fly with Ukraine International within the next 48 (72) hours.
Ukraine International Airlines aircraft photo gallery:
UIA expresses its deepest condolences to the families of the victims of the air crash and will do everything possible to support the relatives of the victims.
“U.S. intelligence picked up signals of a radar being turned on, sources told CBS News. U.S. satellites also detected two surface-to-air missile launches, which happened shortly before the plane exploded.”
From CNN:
“The US increasingly believes that Iran mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian airliner on Tuesday, according to multiple US officials. The working theory is based on continuing analysis of data from satellites, radar and electronic data collected routinely by US military and intelligence.
The flight was downed following Iranian strikes on US forces in Iraq.
Iran’s Civil Aviation Organization head, Ali Abedzadeh, said it would not hand the flight data recorders to Boeing or the United States after they were found on Wednesday.”
From New York Times: New video of possible missile striking the doomed airliner.
“The initial assessment of Western intelligence agencies is that a Ukrainian airliner which crashed in Iran on Wednesday was not brought down by a missile, said a Canadian security source.
The source, who declined to be identified, said the agencies believed the Boeing (BA.N) 737 plane had suffered a technical malfunction. The Ukraine International Airline jet crashed shortly after takeoff from Tehran, killing all 176 people on board.”
“A Ukrainian airliner was on fire immediately before it crashed southwest of Tehran, killing all 176 on board, according to an initial report by Iranian investigators.”
Ukraine International Airlines issued this second statement:
The day of January 8, 2020, is marked with black for the time being.
Despite the airline’s employees have repeatedly undergone special training, we could never grow emotionally and psychologically strong enough to face up to such a tragedy.
Today, all our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers and crew of PS752 Tehran – Kyiv flight.
We express profound sympathy to the families and friends of the victims. We share your pain, we mourn together with you, and we remember everyone whose life was taken away in the sky of Iran.
We’ll make every effort to find out the cause of the tragedy and the families of the passengers and crew get all the help and support they need.
The airline has also suspended flights to and from Tehran:
Due to the situation in the region, UIA announces the suspension of its scheduled flights between Kyiv and Tehran, effective 08 January, 2020, until further notice.
The decision made by the management of the UIA and confirmed as a prohibition issued by State Aviation Administration of Ukraine for flights in Iran’s airspace for all Ukrainian registration aircraft.
Passengers will be rerouted, where possible, or offered a refund for unused flights. Passengers are advised to contact the place of ticket purchase.
Information on the crew:
With due allowance for the complexity and duration of the flight, the UR-PSR aircraft’s crew was augmented.
Flight crew comprised three pilots:
Captain Volodymyr Gaponenko (11600 hours on Boeing 737aircraft including 5500 hours as captain);
Instructor pilot Oleksiy Naumkin (12000 hours on Boeing 737 aircraft including 6600 hours as captain);
First officer Serhii Khomenko (7600 hours on Boeing 737 aircraft).
“Tehran airport is anything but a simple one. Therefore, for several years UIA has been using this airport to conduct training on Boeing 737 aircraft aimed at evaluating pilots’ proficiency and ability to act in emergency cases, – noted Ihor Sosnovsky, UIA Vice President Operations. – According to our records, the aircraft ascended as high as 2400 meters. Given the crew’s experience, error probability is minimal. We do not even consider such a chance.”
Cabin crew comprised six flight attendants:
Ihor Matkov, chief flight attendant;
Kateryna Statnik;
Mariia Mykytiuk;
Valeriia Ovcharuk;
Yuliia Solohub;
Denys Lykhno.
UIA condoles deeply to families and friends of the passengers and the crew.
Ukraine International Airlines-UIA flight PS 752 from Tehran (Khomeini) to Kiev with Boeing 737-800 (UR-PSR, above) crashed on takeoff today. All on board are feared to be dead.
The airline issued this statement (translated):
Today, on January 8, 2020, the aircraft of Ukraine International Airlines, while operating PS752 flight Tehran – Kiev, disappeared from the radar, a few minutes after departure from Tehran International Airport.
The aircraft departed Tehran Airport at 06:10 local Iran time.
According to preliminary data, there were 167 passengers and 9 crew members on board. Airlines are currently finding out the exact number of passengers on board.
Passenger lists will be posted on the airline’s website after final confirmation of their stay on board the aircraft.
The airline expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the plane crash and will do everything possible to support the relatives and loved ones of the victims. As of today, UIA has decided to suspend its own flights to Tehran indefinitely.
As of 09:30, UIA has been working closely with the aviation authorities to find out the causes of the aviation incident. In parallel, the airline contacts the relatives of the passengers, providing all possible assistance in the current situation.
The flight was performed on a Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft, registration number UR-PSR. The aircraft of 2016 production was received directly by the airline from the plant of the concern. The last scheduled maintenance of the aircraft was January 06, 2020.
A thorough investigation will be conducted with the involvement of the aviation authorities of Ukraine, Iran, representatives of the Boeing manufacturer, the airline, as well as the National Bureau of Investigation of Civil Aviation and Incidents with Civilian Aircraft in Ukraine (NBRCA). The airline will inform you of the investigation and the causes of the tragic event as soon as they are identified.
Press Service of Ukraine International Airlines
Top Copyright Photo: Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-8KV WL UR-PSR (msn 38124) LGW (Keith Burton). Image: 948733.
On Thursday, November 8, 2018, Ukraine International Airlines’ Boeing 737-300 aircraft with registration number of UR-GBD (below), operated its final flight under Ukraine International Airlines’ call sign.
Top Copyright Photo: Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-36N UR-GAN (msn 28569) (Official Carrier National Football Teams) LGW (Antony J. Best). Image: 901106.
Above Photo: Teemu Pesonen.
Subsequently UIA’s fleet consists of 42 aircraft with the average age of 10.5 years.
UIA continues its fleet renewal program. Three Classic Generation aircraft, including two Boeing 737-300 and one Boeing 737-500 were decommissioned. And now the company’s medium haul fleet includes only New Generation Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737-900 with an average age of 8.7 years. These planes have bigger capacity and consume less fuel per seat kilometer.
In 1992 UIA became the first Boeing 737 family operator in Ukraine and offered its passengers a new level of comfort and service. Within 26 years of UIA’s activity the company used 74 aircraft, 42 of which currently keep flying under UIA’s call sign.
Moreover UIA was the first Ukrainian airline to install winglets on its planes increasing their fuel efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions into atmosphere.
This year the airline added a new type of widebody long haul aircraft for the Ukrainian market – Boeing 777-200ER. Now three such aircraft operate UIA’s flights to New York, Beijing and Bangkok. The company also operates widebody Classic Generation Boeing 767-300ER aircraft on its long haul routes which will be phased out in 2019-2020.
“The Classic Generation aircraft, UIA had started its activity in 1992, played its role. We thank them, as they were reliable planes, which let us become the airline UIA is now. – UIA Communications Director Evgeniya Satska said, – The next step to UIA’s medium haul fleet renewal will be the arrival of three Boeing 737 MAX aircraft delivery. There start to be delivered in Spring 2019”.
Note: The last Boeing 737-500 (UR-GAT) (below) was retired previously on October 12, 2018 (flight AUI172 Stockholm – Kiev).
Below Copyright Photo (all others by the airline): Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-528 UR-GAT (msn 25237) LHR (SPA). Image: 924723.
Ukraine International Airlines released this statement on its fleet plans:
On Saturday, March 17, 2018, Ukraine International Airlines enhanced its fleet with another brand new Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft that arrived at Kiev Boryspil International Airport from the Boeing facilities in Seattle.
The aircraft passed an official registration procedure in Ukraine and received the UR-UIC number. The aircraft accommodates 186 passengers in two-class seating configuration. UIA expects to operate the new Boeing 737-800 NG across its medium-haul route network. The UR-UIC started operating commercial flights on March 20 on the Kiev – Lviv route. UIA expects to receive the next brand new Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft, UR-UIВ, in late March.
In 2018, the UIA fleet will be enhanced with 4 Boeing 737 NGs, three of them will arrive right off the assembly line.
In 2018, UIA expects to receive 10 aircraft: 4 wide-body long-haul Boeing 777s, one of them is already in operation, 4 medium-haul Boeing 737-800 NGs, and 2 Embraer 195s.
In 2018, UIA will cease operating its Boeing 737 Classic aircraft (2 737-300s and one 737-500).
UIA operates 41 aircraft including 28 medium haul Boeing 737 NG aircraft with the average age of 9.4 years. Currently, UIA fleet’s total average age amounts to 11.5 years.
Copyright Photo: The pictured UR-GAT is the last UIA Boeing 737-500 still in service. Ukraine International Airlines Boeing 737-528 UR-GAT (msn 25237) LHR (SPA). Image: 924723.
