AeroSvit leases out its aircraft to UIA

"The first plane joined the airline's fleet January 11, 2013. The next aircraft will come on January 14. Thus, the airline's fleet until the end of January 2013 will consist of 21 medium-range aircraft Boeing-737. Previously, these aircraft were operated by the airline AeroSvit," the press service says.

It was specified that the UIA receives new planes under the operating lease terms for a period of 12 years from the European leasing company.

It is planned that, under the program of renovation and expansion of the UIA fleet, in April-May 2013, another two Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft will arrive in Ukraine. Thus, at the beginning of the summer season, the number of aircraft of this modification among the UIA fleet will reach eight.

"In summer 2013, the UIA fleet will consist by one-third of Boeing 737 of a new generation, with high levels of operational efficiency, economy and passenger comfort. This will certainly contribute to implementation of our company's strategic plans," UIA executive vice president for strategy and development, Yevhen Treskunov noted.

According to him, the program for renovation and expansion of the fleet will allow the UIA to significantly expand its route network, including new air flights to the cities of Eastern and Southern Europe, Scandinavia, Russia and other CIS countries, the Caucasus and Central Asia, which will also supplement the list of transit capacities.

Aircraft Boeing 737-800 Next Generation have a passenger capacity of 180 seats and two classes of cabin equipment - economy and business.

According to the Kommersant Ukraine that cited its sources, the aircraft transfer will not end at this, and will involve the planes that belong to the companies affiliated with the structures of AeroSvit co-owner Ihor Kolomoisky. AeroSvit itself is unlikely to continue operations.

As reported, December 29, the airline AeroSvit appealed to the Commercial Court of Kyiv Region for initiating bankruptcy proceedings in order to begin the procedure of rehabilitation, restoring solvency and ensuring the meeting of obligations to creditors in full. The hearing will be held at the preparatory meeting of the court on January 23, 2013.

As of December 27, the debt of AeroSvit exceeded 4.2 billion UAH, and the total carrying value of assets was 1.46 billion UAH.

In early January, the company had a lot of problems with making flights, as a number of airports (Warsaw, Tel Aviv, Copenhagen and Stockholm) and partners refused to serve the airline.

The current situation with the cancellation or delay of flights and the initiation of the AeroSvit bankruptcy case is a planned action, according to the Kommersant sources.