jetBee - Comfortable Flying.

JetBee was a Ukrainian ultra-low-cost carrier (ULCC) headquartered in Kyiv, Ukraine. Founded in 2018, the airline operated scheduled and charter services across Europe until ceasing operations in 2022. JetBee was known for its vibrant branding and budget-friendly offerings, catering to leisure and price-sensitive travelers.

IATA: J1
ICAO: JWB
Callsign: STINGER
History

JetBee was established in mid-2018 by a group of Ukrainian aviation entrepreneurs aiming to capitalize on the growing demand for affordable air travel within Europe. The airline received its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from the State Aviation Administration of Ukraine in late 2018 and commenced operations in December of the same year.

With its fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft featuring distinctive yellow, black, and white liveries, JetBee initially operated flights from its primary base at Kyiv Boryspil International Airport. It quickly expanded to other Ukrainian cities, opening additional bases at Odesa International Airport, Zaporizhia International Airport, and Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport.

JetBee's business model focused on offering ultra-low-cost scheduled and charter flights to popular European destinations, including Spain, Italy, Germany, Poland, and Greece.

Despite its ambitious expansion plans, JetBee faced operational and financial challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and later, the instability in Ukraine during 2022. The airline ceased all operations by mid-2022.

Operations

JetBee operated both scheduled services and ad-hoc charters. The airline was popular among Ukrainian travelers seeking affordable leisure destinations, as well as European tour operators requiring charter capacity.

Key destinations included:

Barcelona-El Prat Airport (Spain)
Warsaw Chopin Airport (Poland)
Rome Fiumicino Airport (Italy)
Athens International Airport (Greece)
During peak seasons, JetBee offered up to 20 weekly flights from each of its hubs.

Fleet

At its peak, JetBee operated a small but efficient fleet of Boeing 737-800 aircraft, all configured in an all-economy, high-density layout.

Aircraft Number Notes
Boeing 737-800 3 UR-JSB and UR-JSA equipped with Split Scimitar Winglets
The aircraft featured JetBee's signature livery: a white fuselage with bold "JetBee" titles and yellow-black winglet accents.

Branding

JetBee's branding was designed to be playful yet dynamic, symbolizing speed and light-hearted travel. The company's name combined "Jet" (for fast air travel) and "Bee" (for industriousness and lightness), fitting their callsign STINGER. Marketing campaigns often emphasized "buzzing" across Europe at unbeatable prices.

Cessation

Due to the combined pressures of pandemic recovery challenges and the escalation of the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian conflict, JetBee suspended operations in April 2022. Efforts to restructure or merge with other low-cost carriers were unsuccessful, and the airline formally declared bankruptcy in August 2022.