Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary says he is ready to quickly resume operations in Ukraine after the fighting ends.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said the discount carrier is prepared to quickly resume operations in Ukraine once it becomes safe again to fly in the country.
The carrier has hired about 60 Ukrainian pilots and about 80 cabin crew that are mainly located at Ryanair’s bases in Poland as it waits for the market to eventually reopen, O’Leary said on a panel at the Bloomberg New Economy Gateway Europe.
The airline would plan to create 30 routes and have several bases in the country within 12 months after returning, he said.
“We could fly there in about two weeks,” O’Leary said. “We’re actively looking at ways and looking where we can charge back into Ukraine.”
The CEO said rebuilding Ukraine will provide a huge opportunity for European businesses to participate and accelerate, and aviation will play a key role because “the Russians will probably blow up the roads and bridges on the way out the door” so moving people via aircraft will be key.
Before the Russian invasion, the Irish low-cost airline was the second largest in the country.