Ukraine: Big Boeing, big plans for Aerosvit

When Aerosvit flight 171 lifted off from Boryspil airport on Nov. 4, it opened a new chapter in the airline’s history. Not only did the flight mark the company’s inaugural trip to Bangkok, it was the first trip made by the airline’s newly acquired Boeing 767‑300ER aircraft. Acquisition of the Boeing 767 is part of an aggressive marketing plan that the airline hopes will eventually position it as the nation’s dominant long‑haul international airline. Aerosvit began serving Dubai last September, and plans to acquire an additional 767 in April 2003, enabling the carrier to add routes to New York, Seoul, Toronto and Delhi. Aerosvit acquired the Boeing 767 aircraft on a long‑term lease from Boeing Capital, the finance arm of the U.S.‑based aircraft manufacturer. The twin‑engine wide‑body had previously been used by SAS. The new addition to Aerosvit’s fleet is the largest‑capacity Boeing jet operated by any Ukrainian airline. The company also operates six other Boeing aircraft: a 737‑200, a 737‑300, and four 737‑500s. Aerosvit carries about 30 percent of all passengers transported by Ukrainian airlines. Last year, it carried 316,000 passengers, a 28.4 percent increase over the year before, and rang up a healthy $1.8 million.