Wizzair Ukraine
The news here in Ukraine states the reasons why Wizzair Ukraine are closing down on 20 April.
1,Loss of passengers, they were expecting a loss of passenger numbers in the region of 45 - 50% for 2015 compared with a loss of 20% passengers in 2014, so far this year numbers are already down 18%.
2, The continuing conflict in the Donbas region, the loss of services to Lughansk and Donetsk caused the airline to return the two newer aircraft last year.
3, The huge depreciation of the Hryvnia.
4, Control of foreign payments, meaning payments are only allowed in Hryvnia, causing major problems with suppliers.
5, The upcoming new regulations by the ministry of infrastructure regarding daughter / sister airlines, whereby the CEO of the daughter / sister airline must be a Ukrainian citizen and have at least 50% controlling interest, that airline must also provide national services as well as their normal international routes, which Wizzair say is not possible because there is no way of filling a 180 seat A320 on regional services.
It has been expected here that Wizzair would close it's Ukraine operations since last year when Wizzair voiced issues with the new regulations which they say are for the sake of UIA only, so that UIA have a monopoly for flights.
The closure comes just days after Wizzair's application to operate two new routes from Kiev / Lviv to Doncaster / Sheffield and Kiev / Lviv to Kosice were rejected by the ministry of infrastructure.
The biggest losers by the closure of Wizzair Ukraine will be Kiev Zhulyany and Lviv airports, as well as the Ukrainian cabin crews.
Source: Several Ukrainian news websites.