TORONTO — An Etobicoke-based agent has won the grand prize from Ukraine International Airlines’ (UIA) webinar hosted by Travelweek Group’s WheelsUpNetwork.com on Nov. 22.

The winner is Alexandra Matviyenko from Now Destinations, who was awarded a rountrip ticket from Toronto to Kyiv with UIA.

The webinar gave agents the chance to familiarize themselves with UIA’s route network, fares, onboard services and other products.

Since June 2018 AirlinePros has been appointed to commercially manage and represent Ukraine International Airlines (IATA code PS) commercially in Canada. The first flights started in June 2018. “We currently fly out of Terminal 3 in Pearson Airport on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Starting June we will go back to our summer schedule with three times a week departures: Monday, Wednesday, Saturday,” says Koliuda.

In 2019 UIA “has a very attractive route network which allows for connecting to Europe, Middle East and Asia,” she adds.

WestJet and Air Canada are interline partners on the carrier’s registered throughfares originating in Canada.

In total UIA flies to 40 countries and is launching a new route, Kyiv-Izmir, starting June 15.

“Any destination beyond Kyiv (KBP) allows two pieces of luggage in economy. You don’t get to see this often nowadays with some carriers have no luggage on Transatlantic routes in entry economy class,” says Koliuda.

She adds: “We have our own loyalty program: Panorama Club and Panorama Corporate Club. We have the lowest fares from Toronto to Amman, Istanbul, Ankara in January, February, March and the lowest fares to Minsk in February and March.”

Stopovers in Kyiv are allowed for up to five days for a fee. Infrastructure continues to develop in Kyiv and throughout Ukraine and a new train now connects KBP with the city centre.