Ryanair is preparing to return to Ukraine: they have already told how many passengers they will be able to serve

Ryanair has already drawn up a plan to increase passenger traffic upon its return to the Ukrainian market. The company also intends to open bases in Kyiv and Lviv in the first year of operation. Read more about the low-cost airline's plans in this article
Ryanair, a popular Irish low-cost airline, plans to resume flights to Ukraine and increase its traffic to five million passengers a year in the next year or two. The airline's CEO, Michael O'Leary, said that Ryanair is ready to restart its routes as soon as the security situation allows.
As the war continues in Ukraine, the country's airspace is closed to civil aviation. However, Ukraine can be reached by any land transport, including buses and trains, which can be purchased at favourable prices on the Visit Ukraine portal.
According to Reuters, Ryanair is confident that the prospects for ending the war in Ukraine are becoming more obvious, and that is why major carriers are already developing strategies to return to the Ukrainian market. In particular, it is reported that former US President Donald Trump has expressed confidence in the imminent end of the war, which has become an additional positive signal for investors and the aviation industry.
The company's plan to increase passenger traffic
According to Michael O'Leary, Ryanair will be able to offer up to two million seats in the first six weeks after the resumption of flights.
At the same time, the airline plans to serve up to five million passengers annually within a year or two after the start of operations.
Where will the aircraft be based?
Ryanair is going to open bases in Kyiv and Lviv within 12 months of its return to the Ukrainian market. At the same time, it may take longer to serve other airports due to the infrastructure damage caused by the war.
Poland will be one of the key destinations for Ryanair. According to O'Leary, it is planned to launch 6-8 routes from Polish cities to Ukraine. This will help meet the demand of both tourists and Ukrainians living or working in Poland who want to have inexpensive and convenient options for flights home.
At the same time, Ryanair is expanding its presence within Poland. This summer, the airline intends to open 24 new destinations from Polish airports, which should further strengthen its position in the region.
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Fares will increase
Michael O'Leary warned that in 2025 (in his estimation, this year), fares will increase by 4-6%. However, he believes that even with a small increase, ticket prices will remain competitive and will not exceed the level comparable to the pre-pandemic years.
‘Fares will go up by 4-6% this year, so you'll still be travelling at slightly lower prices than in the summer of 2023, but they will be slightly higher than in 2024,’ O'Leary explained.
We have already written that Ryanair is considering options for returning to the Ukrainian market. However, there is one important condition for this - the end of the war.
We would like to note that despite the lack of flights, Ukraine continues to receive tourists. So, if you are planning to visit this country, you should think about an insurance policy that covers military risks.
Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.
We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine:
Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;
Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;
Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;
Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;
Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;
Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;
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