Capital expands links to Europe with Kiev flights

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) yesterday announced that Ukraine's leading international carrier, Ukraine International Airlines (UIA), will commence the first direct service from Abu Dhabi to the Ukrainian capital Kiev.

The initial flight is scheduled to depart from Abu Dhabi International Airport on September 25, with twice weekly flights due to arrive in Abu Dhabi at 8.30pm on Mondays and Fridays, and depart the following morning at 1.55am on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

In addition to generating traffic between Abu Dhabi and Kiev, the operation is timed to allow easy transfer for passengers onto the wide network of onward services offered from Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Ukraine International Airlines will operate a Boeing 737 aircraft configured in two product classes, business and economy, for the flight which is expected to take about five and a half hours in each direction.

The service forms one of the key components to build upon the already strong business links between the Ukraine and the UAE.

Other measures include the establishment of the Ukraine-UAE Business Council to facilitate trade and economic relations and realise the potential commercial opportunities between the two nations.

"We warmly welcome Ukraine International Airlines with their new route to Kiev, which helps to expand the number of European destinations serviced directly from Abu Dhabi International Airport," said Mohammad Al Bulooki, Vice President of Airline Marketing and Aeronautical Revenue at ADAC.

"Not only does the service provide the opportunity for business and leisure tourists to experience the rich tourism offerings within the Ukrainian capital, it also allows passengers from Kiev to utilise the fast and efficient transfer facilities at Abu Dhabi International Airport, and take advantage of the links provided by international carriers and Etihad Airways to other destinations around the world," Al Bulooki added.