- December 2, 2025
- 11:14 am
- Israel
What happened and why it is important for the Israeli audience
Ukrainian airline SkyUp announced the launch of direct flights between Chisinau (RMO) and Tel Aviv (TLV) starting December 4, 2025. Sales begin on September 25, with promotional fares “from €25” promised on the launch day — naturally, with a limited pool of seats. Frequency — three times a week, with hand luggage up to 9 kg included in the basic fare. For the Israeli audience, this is not just another schedule entry: it is an opportunity to plan trips to Moldova and further to Ukraine more flexibly by land transport while Ukrainian skies remain closed.
The company itself announced this on the official website on September 25, 2025. Full information on destinations, flight schedules, and ticket booking is available on the official SkyUp™ website.
“Chisinau Airport has become a convenient starting point for many passengers, including from Ukraine, thanks to efficient logistics to various regions of our country,” commented SkyUp Airlines CEO Dmitry Seroukhov on the news. “The launch of flights to Tel Aviv is part of SkyUp’s strategic route network expansion. In the next summer season of 2026, we offer our passengers 26 popular European destinations, including Greece, Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, and others. We strive to make travel affordable, and our passengers receive quality service at a fair price.”
Why Chisinau—Tel Aviv is a “bridge”
After 2022, Chisinau became a convenient “land door” to Ukraine: buses and private transfers run from the capital of Moldova to the Ukrainian border and further to major cities. The direct flight from Tel Aviv reduces the cost and time of the route and adds competition where a few players have dominated until now.
Who SkyUp is today: not just a low-cost carrier, but also a “service for the aviation market”
Before the full-scale invasion, SkyUp built its business as a hybrid: regular and charter flights plus ACMI services (when an airline leases an aircraft with crew and technical support to other carriers). With the closure of Ukrainian skies in 2022, the carrier survived by actively turning to ACMI, establishing a presence in the European market, and through the related SkyUp MT division in Malta. According to the company itself and industry publications, this model allowed it to maintain its fleet, personnel, and revenue in an era of uncertainty.
What this means in simple terms
ACMI is “aviation outsourcing”: SkyUp can fly under contracts for other companies, providing the aircraft and crew. For the passenger, this is often unnoticed (branding may be different), but for SkyUp itself, it is a way to stay afloat while Ukraine objectively cannot resume civil flights.
The question we were asked: is this new flight also ACMI?
In the Chisinau—Tel Aviv announcement, SkyUp declares direct flights under its brand and code, not indicating that the service will be performed by a third party under a wet lease scheme. In civil practice, such things are usually disclosed, so at the moment, there is no reason to consider this route a “foreign operation under the SkyUp brand.” However, given the company’s experience, pinpoint partnerships or hybrid solutions during peak demand periods cannot be ruled out — this is a normal operation in European aviation in 2025.
Conclusion: SkyUp sells and plans to operate the flight as its regular product; there are no obvious signs of ACMI in the announcement, but the carrier has the expertise to quickly connect partners if it benefits the market.
How the war hit SkyUp — and why its return to the passenger segment is symbolically important
With the start of full-scale aggression, Russia effectively closed the skies over their native country for Ukrainians. Domestic and international lines from Ukraine came to a halt. SkyUp had to restructure its operational model, base itself outside the country, disperse personnel, and some employees left or were mobilized. The financial losses of the industry are enormous: idle aircraft, insurance, relocation, new offices — all this increases the cost of each subsequent step. Nevertheless, the company managed to stay “in the ranks” through ACMI, the European “daughter,” and flexible partnerships. Today’s steps into the passenger segment are not only business but also a marker of the resilience of Ukrainian aviation as a whole.
Competitors and alternatives: prices “from €25” sound loud, but let’s look at the bigger picture
A promo price tag always looks like an advertising beacon. In reality, the impact of the promotion depends on the volume of seats and the calendar. There are other players on this route: FlyOne declares “from €59,” HiSky and EL AL flights occasionally appear, and aggregators show offers in the range of ~$69–$150+ one way depending on the date. For the passenger, this means one thing — a short window of “hunting” for the promo and the usefulness of a flexible calendar.
When is it more profitable?
— If you have fixed dates for December–January, monitor several sources at once and don’t forget about luggage: surcharges can “eat” the benefit.
— If the dates are flexible, you can catch the SkyUp promo at the start and combine it with “light” hand luggage — this will give real savings.
— For transit to Ukraine through Moldova, additionally assess the cost of transfer and insurance — the final budget is more important than a beautiful number in the headline.
Practice and everyday life: what to look for when booking this particular route
Reasonable memo (briefly)
- Luggage: check the included volume — SkyUp’s basic fare includes hand luggage up to 9 kg; everything else may require an additional fee.
- Schedule: three flights a week — plan connections with ground transport in Moldova in advance.
- Entry/transit rules: keep track of changes for Moldova and Israel (medical insurance, documents, security restrictions).
- Market volatility: the end of the year and holidays are always “hot,” and carriers’ schedules may be adjusted.
For families and vulnerable passengers
SkyUp emphasizes special services for children, the possibility of transporting animals, and pre-ordering meals (SkyBox) in the announcement. If you are flying with babies or pets, clarify the rules and book services in advance — such options often have quotas.
Context Israel—Ukraine: about people, not just planes
For Israelis of Ukrainian origin and those whose relatives live in Ukraine, every new convenient route means fewer transfers, fewer overnight stays in “expensive” hubs, and a little more control over their time. In 2025, transport is both human connectivity and business blood: volunteers, small cargo shipments, specialists on short-term missions — all of them need a direct and understandable path.
Here, too, is important symbolism: a Ukrainian company, having survived the hardships of war, is once again selling tickets at an affordable price on a route to Israel. For many readers of NANovosti, this is about the resilience and interaction of our societies, not just about marketing.
Brief information about SkyUp if you see this brand for the first time
- Ukrainian airline, started in 2017–2018, with a fleet of Boeing 737s of various modifications.
- Model — hybrid: regular + charter + ACMI.
- After 2022, maintained operational viability through European presence (including SkyUp MT) and wet lease contracts.
- Today — returning to passenger transportation where possible without violating safety restrictions.
Main points in three lines
- From December 4, SkyUp launches Chisinau—Tel Aviv three times a week; on the sales start day — promo “from €25” with hand luggage in the basic fare.
- This is not just a promotional news: the route strengthens the “land corridor” to Ukraine and adds competition in the region.
- The ACMI question for this flight is not directly stated; SkyUp positions it as its direct product, but the company is flexible and can connect partners if necessary.
Conclusions for NANovosti readers
- Planning a trip in winter? It makes sense to “catch” the start of sales and check real prices for the desired dates — the promo pool is always limited. Simultaneously compare FlyOne/EL AL/HiSky and aggregators: sometimes adjacent days offer savings of tens of euros.
- Logistics is more important than the number in the headline. Calculate the transfer in Moldova, luggage, insurance, and possible overnight stays — the overall budget decides, not “from €25” by itself.
- Symbolism matters. A Ukrainian airline, having withstood the blows of war and restructuring its business, is once again putting Israel on the route map. For our communities, this is good news — and a step towards more direct and convenient connections.
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NANovosti – News of Israel: we will continue to monitor aviation routes affecting the connections between Israel and Ukraine, especially where real opportunities to save time and money without compromising safety arise.
Full information on destinations, flight schedules, and ticket booking is available on the official SkyUp™ website.