SkyUp Airlines actively exploits the lucrative ACMI market by providing aircraft, crew, maintenance and insurance to other air carriers. In the context of the shutdown of the aviation sector during the Russian aggression in February 2022 and the closure of Ukrainian airspace, SkyUp responded to the new realities by concluding agreements with more than 20 airlines, including Air Albania, Air Moldova and Wizz Air.
SkyUp's CEO, Dmytro Seroukhov, noted that during the war, the airline changed its strategy, focusing on cargo, charter and ACMI-type contract deals, where the airline provides its planes and crews to customers. The ACMI market became important for SkyUp, and the business was able to get up and running quickly as most of the airline's aircraft were evacuated from Ukraine prematurely. As a result of this strategy, SkyUp entered the top 20 ACMI suppliers in Europe for June 2023.
In addition, the airline has expanded its activities, having received operational certificates in the USA and Canada, and plans to enter the profitable market of North America. Seroukhov emphasizes the importance of further development of partnerships to support SkyUp employees and notes that the airline's team intends to return to Ukraine and help the country in the post-war period.
