It was an important weekend in Ukrainian-Norwegian relations! On Saturday SAS started their first flight to Kyiv from Gardermoen airport in Oslo. Airport operator Avinor warmly welcomed passengers with smiles, cake and refreshments. The passengers started their journey with opening remarks from Ukrainian Ambassador to Norway Mr. Viacheslav Yatsiuk, Norwegian Ambassador to Ukraine Mr. Ole Terje Horpestad, CFO in SAS Mr. Torbjørn Wist and Director Cargo at Avinor Mr. Martin Langaas.

The opening remarks stressed the importance of direct flights and in particular it’s contribution to increased trade, cultural exchange and bilateral interaction. We couldn’t agree more! This direct flight will help put Norwegian and Ukrainian people closer together and simplify interaction.

The route’s target audience have seemingly already embraced it as the inaugural flight was practically full, with just a handful seats available. Taking into account the Saturday morning flight schedule this spell good fortune.

Torbjørn Wist from SAS brought additional good news, informing at the ceremony that due to good booking numbers SAS has already decided to expand the route from summer 2020 to Christmas 2020, and that by autumn 2020 they will put their new Airbus Neo aircraft on the route Oslo-Kyiv-Oslo, the most environmentally friendly commercial aircraft to date.

We welcome the decision of SAS to expand the route and hope to see many NUCC members and friends on the upcoming flights on Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Written in the sky over Norway and Ukraine

Kjartan