The state-owned concern Ukroboronprom has favored a prompt returning of 14 employees of Odesa Aircraft Plant from Uganda, the concern reported on its website.
“Thanks to the work of Ukrainian diplomats, Jonika Airlines and its crew, led by commander Dmytro Chernov, all aviators were able to quickly return to Ukraine…They feel good, there are no sick or persons with symptoms of infection, this was confirmed by the primary control at the airport,” said Ruslan Korzh, Ukroboronprom’s Deputy General Director for Aircraft and Rocket Engineering, who coordinated the return of Ukrainian specialists.
A team of specialists at the Odesa Aircraft Plant was part of a program of international cooperation at the Gulu Airport in Uganda, where they carried out repairs and modernization of six combat training aircraft of the Uganda Air Force under a contract concluded with the state-owned enterprise Progress Specialized Foreign Trade Company, a part of Ukroboronprom.
Upon completion of the contract, Ukrainian pilots, technical engineers and designers were supposed to return home on March 27, but a few days before the departure to Uganda, the borders were closed due to the threat of the spread of coronavirus. Later, air communication and borders were also closed by Ukraine, as a result of which Ukrainian aviators lost the opportunity to return home.
“The concern immediately formed a contact center with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and began to develop a plan for the evacuation of our workers from Uganda,” Korzh noted.
According to him, all evacuated employees will be in quarantine for 14 days under the supervision of a doctor.
The financial costs associated with the evacuation of the team of the Odesa Aircraft Plant were incurred by the Progress.
