UIA's most popular international routes in Ukraine before the war: where did Ukrainians fly to?
Popular flights reveal not only the geography of flights but also Ukraine's close ties with other countries. Find out which destinations were most popular among citizens before the full-scale invasion and why
Prior to russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) was the largest airline and national carrier in Ukraine. It operated flights to Europe, the Middle East, North America, and Asia. However, due to the war, UIA ceased operations and subsequently declared bankruptcy. The five most popular European destinations of UIA as of the beginning of 2022, according to the analytical company Cirium, are described below with reference to Simple Flying.
Where do Ukrainian airlines fly during the war? Find out in this article.
Where did Ukrainians fly most often before the start of the full-scale war?
Kyiv - London Gatwick
How to get to Ukraine from the UK in 2024? Find convenient routes and entry rules here.
London Gatwick International Airport was UIA's fifth most popular destination in January 2022. Gatwick is London's second international airport after Heathrow and is the eighth busiest in Europe. Unlike Heathrow, which receives more long-haul and full-service flights, Gatwick is more likely to serve low-cost and short-haul flights.
In January 2022, Ukrainian airlines operated 27 flights to Gatwick (4,776 seats, 1,355 miles).
Kyiv - Amsterdam
How to get to Ukraine from the Netherlands in 2024? Find convenient routes and entry rules here.
Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport was UIA's fourth most popular destination in the European Union. Although there were more flights to Amsterdam than to London (28 vs. 27), UIA used smaller aircraft, which reduced the total number of seats. Schiphol is a major hub and ranks fourth in terms of seats in Europe. However, due to the fact that this airport is a major transportation hub, it is difficult to say how many passengers flew directly to Amsterdam and how many arrived in transit.
In January 2022, Ukrainian airlines operated 28 flights to Amsterdam (4,202 seats, 1,134 miles).
Kyiv - Paris
How to get to Ukraine from France in 2024? Find convenient routes and entry rules here.
Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris was UIA's most popular destination in the European Union. In January 2022, UIA operated 31 flights to Paris. Charles de Gaulle is the main airport in France and the main hub for Air France.
In January 2022, Ukrainian airlines operated 31 flights to Paris (5,790 seats, distance - 1,267 miles).
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Kyiv - Istanbul
How to get to Ukraine from Turkey in 2024? Find convenient routes and entry rules here.
The new Istanbul International Airport was the most popular pre-war international destination in Europe. It is noted that this demand is primarily due to the tourist preferences of Ukrainians, as Istanbul has always been a popular vacation destination for citizens due to its warm weather and beautiful beaches. The flight to Istanbul was the shortest among UIA's five most popular destinations.
In January 2022, Ukrainian airlines operated 40 flights to Istanbul (5,040 seats, 635 miles).
Kyiv - Tel Aviv
UIA's most popular pre-war route was from Kyiv to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv. This is due to the fact that Ukraine and Israel have close relations and many Israelis are of Ukrainian descent. In January 2022, UIA operated 57 flights to Tel Aviv, which significantly exceeded the number of flights to other destinations.
In January 2022, Ukrainian airlines operated 40 flights to Tel Aviv (10,655 seats, distance - 1,281 miles).
Remember! When planning a trip to Ukraine, first of all, you need to take care of the appropriate insurance policy, because any foreign insurance automatically terminates after crossing the Ukrainian border. In this case, we recommend that you take out insurance specifically covering military risks, which will cover not only standard medical care/treatment/diagnosis, etc. but also accidents and injuries caused by passive or direct military risks.
You can take out such insurance on the Visit Ukraine website. Follow the link and choose an insurance policy with the appropriate coverage and indemnity amount for the required period.
We remind you! Embassies have returned to Ukraine, foreign students continue to study in Ukrainian universities, and tourists from all over the world travel to the country to see its beauty with their own eyes and help. However, despite all this, the war in Ukraine is still ongoing, and therefore there are still risks. Read how to avoid them and make your trip as safe as possible here.
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