SkyUp

Corporate brand

A Ukrainian charter and low-cost airline that expanded into international scheduled services, aircraft leasing and ACMI operations.

Last updated August 31, 2026

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Overview

SkyUp is a Ukrainian airline headquartered in Kyiv. It was registered in 2016 and publicly introduced in December 2017 as a new privately owned national carrier associated with the Ukrainian tour operator Join UP!. The business was designed initially around holiday charter flights for package-tour customers, while also planning scheduled domestic and international services. Its commercial model combined relatively low-cost air transport with the seasonal demand generated by leisure travel to destinations in the Mediterranean, Middle East and other popular resort markets. The airline began flying on 21 May 2018, operating its first service from Kyiv-Zhuliany to Sharm El Sheikh. During its launch period, SkyUp announced a broad network of prospective charter destinations, including Alicante, Antalya, Barcelona, Bodrum, Burgas, Dalaman, Dubai, Hurghada, Larnaca, Nice, Palma de Mallorca, Rimini, Tenerife, Tivat, Tel Aviv and Varna. It also planned domestic routes linking Ukrainian cities such as Kyiv, Odesa, Kharkiv and Lviv, alongside international scheduled services. In 2019, the carrier announced that its principal base would move from Kyiv-Zhuliany to Boryspil because of operating restrictions at Zhuliany. SkyUp pursued fleet growth through Boeing 737 aircraft and reached an agreement with Boeing in 2018 for 737 MAX aircraft, although the subsequent grounding of the MAX fleet type worldwide and the wider disruption caused by the COVID-19 crisis affected the aviation sector's expansion plans. In February 2020, a SkyUp aircraft was chartered by the Ukrainian government to evacuate Ukrainian citizens from Wuhan. In 2021, the airline reported carrying 2,546,899 passengers across 15,962 flights and transporting 786.5 tonnes of cargo, with a workforce of approximately 1,172 employees. It also became the first Ukrainian airline to offer direct flights from Saudi Arabia to Ukraine and received the Heart of Airspace distinction at the Ukraine Tourism Awards. Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine fundamentally changed SkyUp's operating model. Ukrainian airspace was closed to civil aviation on 24 February 2022, and the airline suspended its normal flight program. It subsequently concentrated on evacuation and humanitarian operations and on wet leasing, also known as ACMI, whereby an aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance are supplied to another carrier. This leasing-oriented strategy allowed SkyUp aircraft and personnel to remain commercially active despite the closure of its home market. In 2023, SkyUp established SkyUp MT in Malta. The subsidiary received an air operator certificate in May 2023 and began ACMI operations during the summer. SkyUp aircraft were subsequently used by other airlines, including Air Niugini and Sun Air, while the group explored the possibility of operating European scheduled routes from bases outside Ukraine. In December 2024, SkyUp announced plans for scheduled services from Chișinău, Moldova, to a number of European and Mediterranean destinations, including Alicante, Athens, Barcelona, Heraklion, Larnaca, Lisbon, Nice, Palma de Mallorca, Paris and Thessaloniki. The brand's public identity emphasizes contemporary, informal service rather than traditional formal airline styling. In 2021, SkyUp replaced high-heeled footwear for flight attendants with sneakers and introduced trouser-based uniforms. Its aircraft and uniforms also appeared in Ukrainian singer Max Barskih's music video for "Just Fly." SkyUp remains associated with Ukrainian aviation, but its post-2022 activities have increasingly centered on international leasing, charter, humanitarian and externally based scheduled operations.

History

SkyUp was registered in Kyiv in 2016 and publicly announced in December 2017 as a new private Ukrainian airline. Its principal shareholders were identified as ACS-Ukraine Ltd, Yuri Alba and Tatyana Alba, who were also associated with the Join UP! tour operator. The airline was intended to complement holiday packages with an in-house charter operation while developing scheduled domestic and international routes. Commercial flying began on 21 May 2018 with a Kyiv-Zhuliany–Sharm El Sheikh service. During its initial expansion, SkyUp targeted resort destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, including Antalya, Barcelona, Dubai, Hurghada, Larnaca, Tenerife, Tel Aviv and Varna. The carrier also planned domestic links between Ukrainian cities and scheduled international services from Kyiv. A Boeing fleet strategy was adopted, including an order announced in 2018 for Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The global grounding of the MAX type and the subsequent pandemic altered the timing and economics of fleet expansion. In early 2019, SkyUp said it would transfer its main base from Kyiv-Zhuliany to Boryspil because of restrictions affecting aircraft operations at Zhuliany. That year, the airline became involved in controversial court proceedings that resulted temporarily in license suspension. The case was publicly challenged by Ukrainian officials and journalists after the supposed complainant was reported to deny having been a SkyUp customer or having filed the appeal. The verdicts and suspension were subsequently recalled, and the judge responsible was dismissed. The airline participated in a Ukrainian government evacuation mission in February 2020, when one of its aircraft was used to bring citizens home from Wuhan. By 2021, SkyUp had developed a substantial passenger operation, reporting more than 2.5 million passengers and nearly 16,000 flights. It also opened a direct Saudi Arabia–Ukraine connection and received recognition at the Ukraine Tourism Awards. A redesign of cabin-crew uniforms that year replaced high heels with sneakers and skirts with trouser suits, reinforcing a more contemporary brand image. The Russian full-scale invasion in February 2022 produced the most significant break in SkyUp's history. Ukraine closed its airspace to civil traffic on 24 February, forcing the airline to suspend ordinary operations. Rather than disappear from the market, SkyUp redirected resources toward evacuation and humanitarian flights and began emphasizing wet leasing. This changed the company from a predominantly Ukraine-based leisure carrier into a more geographically flexible aviation-services business. In May 2023, SkyUp announced SkyUp MT, a Maltese subsidiary. SkyUp MT received its air operator license during that month and undertook ACMI activity from the summer of 2023. The wider SkyUp operation supplied aircraft to other airlines, including Air Niugini and Sun Air. These arrangements provided a way to keep aircraft employed while Ukrainian scheduled aviation remained constrained. In December 2024, SkyUp announced a planned scheduled network from Chișinău for 2025, with links to destinations in Spain, Greece, Cyprus, Portugal, France and elsewhere in Europe. The plan reflected the group's broader post-invasion strategy of using bases and certificates outside Ukraine to serve international demand. SkyUp's history therefore spans three distinct phases: a Ukrainian leisure-charter launch, rapid pre-war low-cost and scheduled expansion, and a post-2022 transition toward ACMI, wet leasing, humanitarian flying and externally based European services.

2024
Chișinău network announced
[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
SkyUp announced plans for scheduled flights from Chișinău to multiple European and Mediterranean destinations.
2023
SkyUp MT founded in Malta
[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
The Maltese subsidiary received its operating license and began ACMI operations.
2022
Transition to humanitarian and wet-lease operations
[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
The closure of Ukrainian airspace forced SkyUp to suspend regular flights and redirect its business toward humanitarian, evacuation and wet-lease activity.
2021
Saudi Arabia–Ukraine direct flights
[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
SkyUp launched direct services between Saudi Arabia and Ukraine.
2020
Wuhan evacuation mission
[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
A SkyUp aircraft was used by the Ukrainian government to evacuate citizens from Wuhan.
2019
Main base moved toward Boryspil
[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
The airline announced the transfer of its main base from Kyiv-Zhuliany to Boryspil.
2018
First commercial flight
[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
SkyUp began operations with a flight from Kyiv-Zhuliany to Sharm El Sheikh.
2018
Boeing 737 MAX order announced
[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
SkyUp finalized a Boeing agreement covering 737 MAX aircraft as part of its intended fleet expansion.
2017
New private national carrier announced
[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Ukraine's infrastructure minister announced the planned launch of SkyUp Airlines as a privately owned national carrier.
2016
Company registered in Kyiv
[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
SkyUp was registered as a Ukrainian company in Kyiv.

Products and positioning

A Ukrainian low-cost and leisure airline combining charter flying, scheduled passenger services and post-2022 ACMI and wet-lease operations.

Passenger aviation · 2018
Scheduled passenger flights
SkyUp operates or has operated scheduled passenger services alongside its charter program. These routes have connected Ukraine and, after the closure of Ukrainian airspace, external bases such as Chișinău with European and Mediterranean destinations. The scheduled network is designed around leisure and visiting-friends-and-relatives demand, with routes to cities and resort markets in Spain, Greece, Cyprus, France, Portugal and other European countries.
Leisure aviation · 2018
Charter flights
Charter flying was central to SkyUp's original business model. The airline worked closely with the Join UP! tour operator to transport holiday travelers to resort destinations such as Egypt, Turkey, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Charter operations allowed the airline to match capacity with seasonal package-tour demand and formed the commercial foundation of its early growth.
Aviation services · 2022
ACMI and wet-lease services
SkyUp supplies aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance to other airlines through ACMI and wet-lease arrangements. This activity became particularly important after Ukrainian airspace closed in 2022. SkyUp aircraft have operated for external carriers, including Air Niugini and Sun Air, allowing the group to keep its fleet commercially productive while its home-market scheduled operations were disrupted.
Special mission aviation · 2020
Humanitarian and evacuation flights
SkyUp has undertaken government-supported evacuation flights and humanitarian missions. An early example was the February 2020 Wuhan evacuation, while the airline also conducted evacuation and humanitarian flying after the 2022 invasion and the resulting closure of Ukrainian airspace.

Controversies

2019
Disputed court case and temporary license suspension
SkyUp faced court proceedings that produced controversial guilty verdicts and a temporary suspension of its operating license. Journalists reported that the person said to have initiated the case denied having been a SkyUp customer or filing the appeal. Senior Ukrainian officials described the proceedings as suspicious. The decisions were later withdrawn, and the judge linked to the disputed ruling was dismissed.
Source

2022Humanitarian and evacuation response
Ukraine · International
After the closure of Ukrainian airspace, SkyUp redirected aircraft and operational capacity toward evacuation and humanitarian missions while developing wet-lease work.
Outcome. The response helped preserve the airline's operational role and accelerated its transition from a primarily Ukraine-based leisure carrier to an international aviation-services provider.
Source
2021Contemporary cabin-crew uniform redesign
Ukraine · International
SkyUp introduced a new flight-attendant uniform built around sneakers and trouser suits rather than high heels and skirts. The change presented the airline as more practical, modern and less formal than conventional carriers.
Outcome. The redesign became a visible element of SkyUp's modern brand identity and received broad attention in discussions of airline workplace presentation.
Source
2021Heart of Airspace recognition
Ukraine
SkyUp received the Heart of Airspace nomination at the Ukraine Tourism Awards, associating the airline with the country's tourism and travel sector.
Outcome. The recognition strengthened SkyUp's visibility as a Ukrainian tourism and leisure-travel brand.
Source
Just Fly music-video appearance
Ukraine
SkyUp aircraft and flight-attendant uniforms appeared in Ukrainian singer Max Barskih's music video for "Just Fly," providing an entertainment-media association for the brand.
Source

Brand decisions

2024
Announce planned scheduled flights from ChișinăuProduct launch
Background
With Ukrainian civil aviation still constrained, SkyUp sought to serve European leisure markets from a regional base outside Ukraine.
Action taken
SkyUp announced a 2025 route plan from Chișinău to destinations including Alicante, Athens, Barcelona, Heraklion, Larnaca, Lisbon, Nice, Palma de Mallorca, Paris and Thessaloniki.
Source
2023
Create SkyUp MT in MaltaM&A
Background
SkyUp needed an operating platform outside Ukraine while the Ukrainian aviation market remained constrained.
Action taken
The group established SkyUp MT, obtained a Maltese air operator license and began ACMI operations.
Aftermath
The subsidiary expanded the group's ability to conduct wet-lease flying and pursue future scheduled services within Europe.
Source
2022
Shift from Ukrainian scheduled flying to ACMI and humanitarian operationsStrategy
Background
Ukrainian airspace was closed to civil aviation after the Russian full-scale invasion, making the airline's normal home-market schedule impossible.
Action taken
SkyUp suspended regular flights and redirected its aircraft and crews toward evacuation, humanitarian missions and wet leasing.
Aftermath
The shift created an international operating model that later included external airline customers and the creation of SkyUp MT in Malta.
Source
2019
Move main operating base to BoryspilStrategy
Background
SkyUp cited restrictions affecting aircraft operations at Kyiv-Zhuliany as the reason for changing its principal base.
Action taken
The airline announced that its main base would move to Boryspil from the beginning of the summer schedule.
Aftermath
The move aligned the carrier with a larger Ukrainian airport and supported its planned charter and scheduled expansion.
Source

Recent events

2024
SkyUp announces planned Chișinău scheduled network[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Product launch
The airline announced plans for 2025 scheduled flights from Chișinău to European and Mediterranean destinations including Alicante, Athens, Barcelona, Heraklion, Larnaca, Lisbon, Nice, Palma de Mallorca, Paris and Thessaloniki.
2023
SkyUp establishes Maltese subsidiary[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
M&A · Product launch
SkyUp announced SkyUp MT, a Malta-based airline intended initially for ACMI and wet-lease operations. The subsidiary received its air operator license in May and began operations during the summer.
2023
Two SkyUp aircraft destroyed at Khartoum airport[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Other
Two SkyUp Boeing 737-800 aircraft operating for Sun Air were destroyed at Khartoum International Airport during fighting in Sudan. No fatalities were reported.
2023
SkyUp establishes Malta-based subsidiary[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
M&A · Product launch
SkyUp announced SkyUp MT, a Malta-based airline that received its air operator license in May and began ACMI operations during the summer.
2022
SkyUp suspends normal flights after Ukrainian airspace closure[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Regulation
Following the closure of Ukrainian airspace after Russia's full-scale invasion, SkyUp halted its regular flight program and shifted toward evacuation, humanitarian and wet-lease activity.
2022
SkyUp suspends regular Ukrainian operations after airspace closure[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Other
After Ukrainian airspace closed to civil aviation on 24 February, SkyUp canceled its scheduled program and shifted toward evacuation, humanitarian, and wet-lease work.
2021
SkyUp launches direct Saudi Arabia–Ukraine service[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Product launch
SkyUp became the first Ukrainian airline to introduce direct flights connecting Saudi Arabia and Ukraine.
2020
SkyUp aircraft supports Wuhan evacuation[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Other
The Ukrainian government chartered a SkyUp aircraft to evacuate Ukrainian citizens from Wuhan during the early COVID-19 crisis.
2020
SkyUp aircraft used for Wuhan evacuation[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Other
The Ukrainian government chartered a SkyUp aircraft to evacuate Ukrainian citizens from Wuhan during the early COVID-19 outbreak.
2019
SkyUp announces move to Boryspil[1]SkyUp Airlinesen.wikipedia.org
Other
The carrier announced that its main base would move from Kyiv-Zhuliany to Boryspil because of operational restrictions at the former airport.

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