Strategic Aviation Partnership with France
Ukraine has resumed work on the creation of a national air carrier — Ukrainian National Airlines (UNA) — in cooperation with leading French aerospace partners Airbus and Aérogestion.
Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture Andriy Telyupa announced that updated project materials will soon be prepared, including business calculations, training scenarios for technical personnel and instructors, as well as digital solutions for flight operations.
According to Telyupa, discussions with Airbus also focused on training programs for aviation specialists and the localization of aircraft maintenance in Ukraine under existing cooperation frameworks.
“The next stage will be government-level negotiations with France in November, where we must agree on the next steps for aviation partnership,” the Deputy Minister noted.
Revival of the UNA Project
The idea of a national airline was first initiated by President Volodymyr Zelensky, while Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed in mid-2021 that the Ministry of Infrastructure was developing the concept for UNA.
In December 2021, Ukrainian National Airlines JSC registered its debut share issue of ₴500 million with the National Commission on Securities and Stock Market following parliamentary approval of amendments to the state budget.
Later that month, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the procedure for forming UNA’s authorized capital, allowing funds to be directed toward the purchase of a civil airline or a stake in it.
The French consulting company Aérogestion was selected to develop the airline’s business plan and operational model.
Airbus Involvement and Training Focus
Airbus’s participation extends beyond aircraft supply — it includes technical education programs and localization of MRO (maintenance, repair, and operations) services in Ukraine.
This move aligns with Ukraine’s broader strategy to rebuild and modernize its aviation sector, increase domestic competencies, and reduce reliance on foreign technical service hubs.
Broader Aviation Developments
Parallel to the UNA initiative, Ukraine’s private aviation sector is also expanding:
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SkyUp Airlines has recently added a Boeing 737-800 to its fleet;
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The company launched new direct flights to three countries in Central Europe, including Poland.
These steps underline the resilience and growth potential of Ukraine’s aviation industry despite the challenges of wartime logistics.
Outlook
The updated UNA project is expected to play a central role in post-war reconstruction, improving connectivity, technological independence, and economic integration with the EU.
If approved during the upcoming November government consultations in France, the partnership could move into the implementation phase in 2026, with Airbus technologies and Aérogestion’s advisory framework serving as its foundation.
