Doha: Emirates “will tough it out a bit longer” in Kiev after launching the route in the midst of the Euromaiden uprising in Ukraine earlier this year, said the airline’s president, Tim Clark.
The January launch of daily services to the Ukrainian capital, which have since been cut back to four a week, came during tense political unrest in the country.
Clark, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) meeting in Doha on Monday, said that it was “unfortunate” timing but that there are “no immediate plans to pull out”.
Other UAE carrieres such as flydubai and Air Arabia, have also scaled back operations including suspension of services to destinations in the eastern part of the country.
Clark said that Emirates “will stay there for the time being” when asked how long Emirates would be able to tough it out if the current climate was not to change.
Unrest broke out last November in Kiev and saw former President Viktor Yanukoyvich ousted from power when he fled the country for Russia. Ukraine has since elected Petro Poroshenko as President. However, parts of the country are under the control of Pro-Russian militias.
