Motor Sich Airlines
A Ukrainian airline owned by the aircraft-engine manufacturer Motor Sich, providing passenger, cargo, charter, and scheduled air services.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Motor Sich Airlines is a Ukrainian carrier based in Zaporizhzhia and closely associated with Motor Sich Joint Stock Company, the Ukrainian aircraft-engine manufacturer. Established in 1984, the airline developed as an aviation arm of the industrial group and operated both passenger and cargo services. Its principal base is Zaporizhzhia International Airport, while Kyiv served as an important operational and commercial center during periods when the airline maintained a wider domestic and international network. The carrier has operated a mixture of scheduled flights, charter services, and cargo operations. At its larger operating peaks, it maintained offices or representative activity in Kyiv, Moscow, Istanbul, Ankara, Sharjah, and Delhi, and its fleet reportedly reached ten aircraft and seven helicopters. Its network has included Ukrainian domestic destinations such as Kyiv, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, and Uzhhorod, as well as international services to Minsk and Riyadh. Motor Sich Airlines also had a codeshare relationship with Belavia, although services to Minsk were later suspended in the context of the diversion of Ryanair Flight 4978 and the resulting aviation restrictions. The airline’s operating history has included regulatory challenges. It was previously placed on the European Union’s list of carriers banned from European airspace because of safety concerns. Following an inspection by the European Aviation Safety Agency, the ban was removed in November 2009 after the agency confirmed that improvements had been made. This episode made regulatory compliance and fleet modernization important issues for the carrier. Motor Sich Airlines attempted to rebuild and broaden its domestic network in the late 2010s and early 2020s. In March 2019 it inaugurated a Kyiv–Uzhhorod service via Lviv. The route attracted public attention because Uzhhorod Airport had not had regular scheduled flights since June 2016. The service was opened in the presence of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan, but it was discontinued in May 2019 because it was unprofitable. During the remainder of 2019, the airline cancelled or reduced many Kyiv routes, including services to Odesa and several Lviv flights, and concentrated more heavily on its Zaporizhzhia–Kyiv route and its service between Zaporizhzhia and Minsk. The airline resumed Kyiv–Lviv flights in June 2021 using Antonov An-24 aircraft. In January 2022 it launched a Kyiv–Mykolaiv route with four planned weekly flights, becoming the first Ukrainian airline to operate that route. Ukraine closed its airspace to civilian flights on 24 February 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion. Motor Sich Airlines subsequently suspended passenger operations until further notice while continuing cargo activity, according to the cited reference material. The airline therefore entered a period in which its cargo role remained operationally significant even as its scheduled passenger network was halted. The company also became entangled in the broader political and legal controversy surrounding Motor Sich. On 23 October 2022, Ukraine’s Security Service detained Vyacheslav Bohuslayev, described in the reference material as honorary president of Motor Sich and the airline, on suspicion of treason and cooperation with Russia. Investigators alleged that batches of Ukrainian aircraft engines had been supplied to Russia and used in Russian military helicopters. These were allegations at the time of the reported detention and should not be treated as a final judicial finding without additional authoritative legal documentation. Motor Sich Airlines occupies a specialized position in Ukrainian aviation: it is not merely an independent passenger carrier, but an airline linked to a major aerospace-industrial enterprise. Its identity combines regional scheduled flying, charter activity, cargo transportation, and access to the technical and industrial resources of t…
History
Motor Sich Airlines was established in 1984 as an aviation business associated with Motor Sich Joint Stock Company, a Ukrainian manufacturer of aircraft engines and other aerospace equipment. The airline developed within that industrial environment rather than as a stand-alone consumer aviation brand. Its activities came to include scheduled passenger flights, cargo transportation, and charter operations, with Zaporizhzhia International Airport serving as its principal base. During its more expansive operating periods, Motor Sich Airlines maintained offices or representative activity in Kyiv, Moscow, Istanbul, Ankara, Sharjah, and Delhi. Its fleet reportedly reached ten aircraft and seven helicopters. The carrier served a combination of domestic Ukrainian destinations and international points, and it also operated cargo missions. The airline’s relationship with the Motor Sich industrial group gave it a distinctive position in the Ukrainian market, linking regional airline operations with an aerospace manufacturing enterprise. Safety oversight affected the company’s access to international markets. Motor Sich Airlines was previously included on the European Union list of airlines prohibited from operating in EU airspace. The restriction was removed in November 2009 after an inspection by the European Aviation Safety Agency confirmed that the airline had made improvements. The event represented an important regulatory turning point, although the available reference material does not specify the individual corrective measures. The airline’s route strategy changed repeatedly in response to demand and profitability. In March 2019 it launched a Kyiv–Uzhhorod route via Lviv. The inaugural flight on 15 March was publicly opened by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Omelyan. The route was notable because Uzhhorod Airport had not operated regular flights since June 2016 and had only received the relevant European aviation confirmation in December 2018. The service did not prove commercially sustainable and was cancelled in May 2019. Motor Sich Airlines subsequently reduced much of its Kyiv network, including flights to Odesa and many Lviv services, and placed greater emphasis on the Zaporizhzhia–Kyiv route, operated twice daily, and the Zaporizhzhia–Minsk route, operated four times weekly. A possible spring 2020 resumption of Kyiv–Uzhhorod did not occur, in part because the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted aviation plans. In June 2021, the company restored Kyiv–Lviv flights with Antonov An-24 equipment. In January 2022 it introduced a Kyiv–Mykolaiv route planned to operate four times per week. The service was described as the first Ukrainian airline operation on that city pair. These network initiatives were soon overtaken by the security situation. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine closed its airspace to civilian flights after Russia’s full-scale invasion. Motor Sich Airlines suspended passenger operations until further notice but continued cargo flights, according to the cited material. The airline’s corporate context became the subject of a major security and legal controversy in October 2022. On 23 October, Ukraine’s Security Service detained Vyacheslav Bohuslayev, identified as honorary president of Motor Sich and the airline, on suspicion of treason and cooperation with Russia. Investigators alleged that batches of Ukrainian aircraft engines had been supplied to Russia and used in Russian military helicopters. The available reference describes an accusation and detention, not a final adjudication of guilt. Motor Sich Airlines’ historical profile is therefore defined by four overlapping roles: a regional passenger carrier, a charter operator, a cargo airline, and an aviation subsidiary connected to a major Ukrainian engine manufacturer. Its long-term passenger network and broader commercial status remain uncertain in the available material because of the continuing effects of wartime airspace restrictions.
- 2022
Kyiv–Mykolaiv route introduced
[1]Motor Sich Airlines launched a planned four-times-weekly Kyiv–Mykolaiv service in January.
- 2022
Passenger flights suspended after airspace closure
[1]Following Ukraine’s closure of civilian airspace on 24 February, passenger flights were suspended while cargo operations continued.
- 2021
Kyiv–Lviv service resumed
[1]The airline resumed Kyiv–Lviv flights using the Antonov An-24.
- 2019
Kyiv–Uzhhorod route inaugurated
[1]A new Kyiv–Uzhhorod domestic service via Lviv began on 15 March but was cancelled in May because it was unprofitable.
- 2009
EU airspace restriction lifted
[1]Following a European Aviation Safety Agency inspection, the airline was removed from the European Union list of carriers banned from EU airspace.
- 1984
Airline established
[1]Motor Sich Airlines was established as an airline associated with Motor Sich Joint Stock Company.
Products and positioning
A regional Ukrainian airline integrated with an aerospace-engine manufacturer, combining domestic passenger connectivity with charter and cargo capabilities.
Passenger aviation
Scheduled passenger services
Motor Sich Airlines has operated scheduled domestic and international passenger flights, with routes at different times connecting Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Lviv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Uzhhorod, Minsk, and other destinations. The network has been adjusted in response to demand, profitability, regulatory conditions, and security constraints.
Air cargo
Cargo flights
Cargo transportation is a longstanding part of the airline’s business. After Ukraine closed its civilian airspace in February 2022, the available reference material stated that passenger flights were suspended while cargo operations continued.
Charter aviation
Charter flights
The airline has provided charter services in addition to scheduled flying. The available material does not specify a complete list of charter customers, recurring programs, or current charter routes.
Controversies
2022
Detention of Vyacheslav Bohuslayev over alleged cooperation with Russia
On 23 October 2022, Ukraine’s Security Service detained Vyacheslav Bohuslayev, described as honorary president of Motor Sich and Motor Sich Airlines, on suspicion of treason and cooperation with Russia. Authorities alleged that Ukrainian aircraft engines had been supplied to Russia and used in Russian military helicopters. The available reference reports allegations and detention rather than a final court determination.
Brand decisions
2022
Introduction of Kyiv–Mykolaiv routeProduct launchBackground
The airline continued attempting to expand domestic links before the closure of Ukrainian civilian airspace.
Action taken
It launched a planned four-times-weekly Kyiv–Mykolaiv service in January 2022.
Aftermath
The route was affected by the closure of Ukrainian civilian airspace on 24 February 2022.
2022
Suspension of passenger operationsStrategyBackground
Ukraine closed its airspace to civilian flights after Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Action taken
Motor Sich Airlines suspended passenger flights until further notice while continuing cargo operations.
Aftermath
The available material does not establish a date for the resumption of passenger services.
2021
Resumption of Kyiv–Lviv flightsProduct launchBackground
The airline sought to restore domestic connectivity after earlier reductions in its Kyiv network.
Action taken
Motor Sich Airlines resumed Kyiv–Lviv service using Antonov An-24 aircraft.
Aftermath
The available reference does not provide subsequent traffic or profitability data.
2019
Launch of Kyiv–Uzhhorod serviceProduct launchBackground
Uzhhorod had lacked regular scheduled flights since June 2016, creating an opportunity for renewed domestic connectivity.
Action taken
Motor Sich Airlines inaugurated a Kyiv–Uzhhorod route via Lviv on 15 March 2019.
Aftermath
The route was cancelled in May 2019 because it was unprofitable.
2019
Concentration on core routesStrategyBackground
Several Kyiv routes had weak commercial performance after the airline’s domestic network expansion.
Action taken
The airline cancelled most of its Kyiv routes, including Odesa and many Lviv services, and focused more on Zaporizhzhia–Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia–Minsk.
Aftermath
The carrier indicated that Kyiv–Uzhhorod might return in spring 2020, but the planned resumption did not take place.
Recent events
- 2022
Kyiv–Mykolaiv route launched[1]
Product launch
The airline began a planned four-times-weekly Kyiv–Mykolaiv service in January 2022, described in the reference material as the first operation of that route by a Ukrainian airline.
- 2022
Civilian airspace closure suspends passenger operations[1]
Regulation · Other
Ukraine closed its airspace to civilian flights on 24 February 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion. Motor Sich Airlines suspended passenger services while continuing cargo operations.
- 2021
Kyiv–Lviv service resumes[1]
Product launch
Motor Sich Airlines resumed flights between Kyiv and Lviv using the Antonov An-24.
- 2019
Motor Sich Airlines inaugurates Kyiv–Uzhhorod service[1]
Product launch
The airline opened a new domestic route from Kyiv to Uzhhorod via Lviv on 15 March 2019. The service was later cancelled because it was unprofitable.
- 2019
Kyiv–Uzhhorod route discontinued[1]
Other
Motor Sich Airlines ended its Kyiv–Uzhhorod service in May, less than two months after launch, citing the route’s lack of profitability.
- 2019
Passenger network reduced as focus shifts to core routes[1]
Other
The airline cancelled or reduced most of its Kyiv routes, including services to Odesa and several Lviv flights, while emphasizing Zaporizhzhia–Kyiv and Zaporizhzhia–Minsk operations.
- 2009
European airspace restriction removed after safety improvements[1]
Regulation
Motor Sich Airlines was removed from the European Union list of air carriers banned from European airspace after a European Aviation Safety Agency inspection found that safety improvements had been made.
Sources1 sources
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