SkyUp Airlines (PQ, Kyiv Boryspil) has applied for a US Foreign Air Carrier Permit and an exemption to operate passenger and cargo charter flights to the country.

The Ukrainian airline requested authority to operate passenger charter services from Ukraine to the United States and onwards, but also onwards via the US as a part of a service originating in Ukraine.

"We are developing our capabilities as an ACMI operator and are looking to enter new markets, including the North American and Caribbean markets. These markets are highly dependent on the ability to operate flights to the USA. Therefore, one of our goals for 2023 is to obtain the US FAR129 certificate," the carrier told ch-aviation.

SkyUp recently operated its first charter to the US under a new agreement with state-owned Ukraina Air Enterprise (UKN, Kyiv Boryspil), carrying Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal on a state visit. As such, the flight was exempt from normal regulatory procedures.

The airline operates as an ACMI/charter specialist out of Europe due to the closure of Ukrainian airspace as a result of Russia's ongoing invasion. SkyUp's current fleet comprises two B737-700s and eight B737-800s. Its ninth B737-800 is due to transfer to sister carrier SkyUp MT (U5, Malta International). One of the -800s, UR-SQH (msn 30292), was destroyed during recent clashes at Khartoum airport. The airline is already authorised to operate in the European Union, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and the United Arab Emirates.

SkyUp revealed in the filing that it is owned by the Alba family. The Ukraine-based company ACS Ukraine LLC, which is owned by Tetiana and Yuriy Alba, and UK-based Global Travel Holding Ltd., owns a 52% stake in the airline. The remaining 48% is owned by Global Travel Holding, which is owned by Yuriy and Oleksandr Alba. Yuriy Alba holds a 24% indirect stake in SkyUp Malta (which has yet to be certified and is not covered by the US FACP application).