Ukrainian airline «Ukraine International Airlines» (UIA) confirms plans to begin flights from Kyiv to the Mexican resort of Cancun at the end of this year 2021. As noted in the airline's message, the start of flights to the Dominican Republic (Punta Cana), Mexico (Cancun) and the Maldives (Male) is scheduled for December 27.
For the first time, information about the start of UIA flights to Mexico was published by the tourist operator «Compass» back in August. Director of «Compass» Dmitry Gudziy then stated that UIA plans to receive a Boeing 777-300, including for flights to Mexico on order from his company. UIA itself has not yet made any statements on this matter.
Later, the portal avianews.com wrote that UIA decided to abandon the commissioning of high-capacity Boeing 777-300 aircraft. The airline's fleet includes one Boeing 777-200ER, but it requires repairs. For this reason, the airline plans to fly to Cancun and other long-haul destinations on a Boeing 767-300ER leased from the Portuguese airline EuroAtlantic Airways.
«Due to the fact that the resumption of flights of long-haul Boeing 777-200ER aircraft is planned for the second quarter of next year, the program of long-haul flights to Punta Cana, Cancun, Male will be operated on Boeing 767-300ER aircraft of partner airline «EuroAtlantic», — UIA reports in its press release.
If the aircraft breaks down, the Portuguese airline will replace it with a similar type aircraft from its fleet. The foreign partner will also take responsibility for maintenance and provide crews. The Boeing 767-300ER will be piloted by pilots from Portugal, and flight attendants from both airlines will work in the cabin.
The Boeing 767-300ER aircraft will enter the UIA fleet before the end of the year. It will have two class cabins with a total number of seats 267. In the business class, 16 seats are installed in a 1+2+1 configuration. Each chair has access to the aisle and can be converted into a horizontal bed. Economy class has 251 seats in a 2+4+2 configuration.
UIA will operate charter flights from Kyiv to Cancun every 10 days. The customer of the flights is the guest state company «Compass», which will ensure that the planes are loaded with its tourists.
Let us remind you that the start of a flight program from Kyiv to Cancun was also announced by the tourist operator Anex Tour Ukraine. The tour operator airline Azur Air Ukraine will fly to Mexico from December to March with a frequency of 2 times a week. The flights will be operated on a Boeing 777-300 aircraft, designed to carry 531 passengers in business and economy class.