On the ‘eve’ of the opening of Odesa International Airport’s new departure terminal, Kyiv’s Fedoriv advertising agency has come out with a perky branding video which contrasts with the airport’s sluggish performance

On the ‘eve’ of the opening of Odesa International Airport’s new departure terminal, Kyiv’s Fedoriv advertising agency has come out with a perky branding video which contrasts with the airport’s sluggish performance. Six years ago, builders broke ground on the new terminal. Eighteen months ago, the arrivals terminal finally opened. It is believed the departure terminal opens in October. It is designed to handle 3 million passengers a year, double this year’s expected volume. Due to poor management, Odesa last year had the lowest growth rate of Ukraine’s five biggest airports – 18.3%. By comparison, Kharkiv’s passenger traffic grew by 35%, Lviv’s by 46%, and Sikorsky Kyiv’s by 64%. Odesa has no domestic flights to Kharkiv or Lviv. Air fares to Odesa’s only domestic destination, Kyiv, are considered expensive. UNIAN reports: “The airport plans to cooperate with 23 airlines.” This is not an ambitious goal. The airport already handles scheduled and chartered flights by 25 airlines.