Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says that the arrival of Irish Ryanair in Lviv will let increase the number of tourists from European Union countries in the city.
“As for Kyiv, it is not extremely important, as there are many other low-cost airlines there. The key struggle was to bring Ryanair to Lviv. This will significantly improve the situation for Lviv, increase the passenger load and the number of European tourists in Lviv. Lviv is becoming a ‘tourist Mecca,'” the presidential press service quoted Poroshenko as saying.
Poroshenko said Ryanair was planning to start its flights from Ukraine this autumn, however he didn’t rule out it might happen even earlier. “During my negotiations with the CEO of Ryanair, he told me that the issue was limited to the supply of new planes,” Poroshenko said.
If Ryanair tickets are booked long ahead, the fare may be below €20, he added.
Poroshenko also shared plans about a meeting with Lviv governor Oleh Syniutka to discuss the possible extension of the European-standard-gauge railway (1,435 m) to Lviv.
“(This is) for the tourists to have an opportunity to travel directly to Lviv. This will increase the importance of Lviv as a railroad hub and improve the situation with freight traffic,” he said.
The president added he was planning to “entrust to work out such an opportunity and prepare the relevant proposals.” “I am confident this will boost the exchange of tourists and freight traffic between us and European countries,” he said.
