The CEO of Ukraine International Airlines, Yevhenii Dykhne has sent a message to all the carriers passengers telling of the trials and tribulations the airline has gone through in the past tumultuous year. Dykhne detailed how the airline had been in mourning since the January tragedy when flight PS752 was shot out of the sky by an Iranian missile, which was soon followed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Here is the full message:
Dear Passengers,
As we approach the end of 2020, a year like no other, we need to look back and see what 2020 has taught us and how it has made us stronger.
2020 was a year of success, trials and tribulations like no year ever before, and also a year of sorrow for UIA. The most important lesson that we have learned is that the road obeys the one who walks forward despite what life presents.
We have been in sorrow since January, from the loss of family, friends and colleagues that were onboard flight PS752 from Tehran to Kyiv, when Iranian military missiles took the lives of 167 passengers and 9 crew members. That tragedy has divided the entire airline into “before” and “after”.
Soon thereafter, an outbreak of the global coronavirus pandemic forced the entire world to have a complete stop of flights and a "quarantine crisis" in the aviation market. These developments have tested our mettle and resolve like nothing before. In 2020, these circumstances, beyond our control, have ultimately become important lessons of humanity, humility and mutual support for us all.
We at UIA met these challenges directly, and made the decision to focus on the digitalization of our services. As a result, passengers today have the ability to independently manage their online bookings. In addition, we have developed a technologically advanced platform with automated promo codes, which allow passengers to access their flight options and make changes online when flights are cancelled/rescheduled due to the pandemic.
In 2020, UIA operated 155 routes, including regular, special, cargo and charter flights. And although the volume of our transportation has decreased significantly, UIA still delivered unparalleled levels of service to all of our passengers. We have also adhered to all of the international safety protocol that ensures the highest levels of safety during our flights. Collectively, this is a confirmation, that UIA will continue striving for excellence even through difficult times and that there is nothing that will stop our desire to give people the joy of flying and connecting them to friends, colleagues and family around the world.
We have shown that it is only by working together that we can surpass the challenges of 2020, and we have done so with dignity and can now be confident in approaching a new, bright future together as 2021 nears.
We look forward to welcoming you onboard your next UIA flight and will always greet you with a smile and our legendary Ukrainian hospitality.
Until we next see you in the air, please be well, and I hope that you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy.
Have a wonderful holiday and a very happy and healthy New Year!
Yevhenii Dykhne,
UIA CEO
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