Czech ground handling specialist Skyport has been awarded the contract to handle import and export cargo for Ukrainian airline SkyUp at Prague Airport.

The contract follows the commencement by SkyUp Airlines of a new air cargo service between Boryspil International Airport, Ukraine, and Prague Vaclav Havel Airport, Czech Republic.

Skyport has been selected to handle cargo for the Prague side of operations between the two airports.

“The new contract looks very promising for both Skyport and SkyUp as demand for cargo transportation on this route has existed for some time,” said David Adámek, chief executive officer (CEO), Skyport.

“The Ukraine market has been traditionally very strong in terms of cargo and mail volumes, and we are pleased to have been entrusted to partner with SkyUp to meet the growing needs of the cargo market in this region.”

Skyport expects to handle all types of freight under the new contract, from general cargo and air mail to dangerous goods, pharma, live animals, and valuable cargo.

“We started cargo transportations in 2020 at the very beginning of the pandemic and were among the first to re-equip our fleet of aircraft to bring medical cargo from China to Ukraine and the EU,” said Dmytro Seroukhov, CEO, SkyUp Airlines.

“Later we switched back to passenger flights, but further developed cargo transportation in the luggage compartments.

“We believe in the potential of this area, and our cooperation with Skyport is the next step towards growth together with our reliable partners.”

The launch of SkyUp’s new service and the collaboration with Skyport to serve the growing needs of the regional market appear as even more of an achievement against the backdrop of a challenging operating environment over the past 18 months, with both parties looking to continue their respective growth.

The new contract between SkyUp Airlines and Skyport at Prague Airport went into effect in October 2021.