As has become somewhat of a tradition over the past few months for airlines worldwide, Ukraine International Airlines has scheduled several one-off flights to provide connectivity for stranded passengers. The flights will depart Ukraine for New York and Miami in the first and last full weeks of August.
Ten scheduled flights
In a press release sent to Simple Flying, Ukraine International Airlines has made known that it has scheduled a total of ten one-off flights between Ukraine and the United States. Three rotations will take place in the first full week of August, and two further rotations will take place in the last full week of August.
Passengers arriving from the United States into Ukraine are asked to download a Visit Ukraine app. Via the app, all arrivals are given four options to choose from with regard to how they wish to observe the strict epidemiological measures in place in the country.
Only Economy class tickets will be offered for these flights. The reason is unknown, but it could be that UIA will use the Business Class section as a crew rest area, to avoid having to accommodate crew in the United States in between the flights. This is what Aer Lingus was doing in April.
Four flights to New York JFK
The first flight heading for New York JFK will depart Kyiv on 3rd August at 11:25 local time, so just before midday. Another flight will operate the same route just days later, on 7th August, at the same time.
There will then be two further flights to New York JFK on 24th and 31st August. Both will depart Kyiv at 12:00.
On the way back, all flights will depart New York JFK at the same time, at 17:45. The departure days will, naturally, be the same as the arrival days. This is because Ukraine International Airlines has timed the flights as a standard rotation between Europe and North America.
So the departure days for one-off flights between New York JFK and Kyiv are 3rd August, 7th August, 24th August, and 31st August. These flights arrive in Ukraine the following morning.
A single flight to Miami
Along with the four rotations to New York JFK, Ukraine International Airlines will also operate a single rotation between Kyiv and Miami.
This flight will depart Ukraine on 5th August at 13:00 local time. After its arrival in Miami, it will then depart back for Kyiv at 23:55 local time.
Unlike New York JFK, Ukraine International Airlines does not offer scheduled services to Miami. The arrival of one of its wide-body aircraft, presumably the Boeing 777, will, therefore, offer a unique plane spotting opportunity. Similar recent events included Austrian Airlines flying to Australia, and Air Serbia flying to Washington.
Have you traveled on a repatriation flight recently? How was your experience? Share your experience with us in the comments below.