The Qatar-Ukraine relations are set to see a boost in the forthcoming months especially in the economic sphere, although the absence of a direct air link between Ukraine and Qatar could serve to slow these developments, Ambassador of Ukraine to Qatar HE Yevhen Mykytenko has said.

Speaking to Qatar Tribune in a recent interview, the ambassador categorically said that one factor that could serve to slow the rate of development in trade cooperation was the absence of a direct air route between Qatar and Ukraine to this day. 
The ambassador underlined the importance of working to resolve this concern urgently, which would cut travel time between the two countries by more than half from over 10 hours to about four and a half hours, expressing hope that such a direct air connection would be established at some point in 2015.
"Ukraine does not have a direct air connection to Qatar until now, although Doha is closer to Kiev than Dubai or Abu Dhabi. For example, each of these cities has at least 10 flights per week to Ukraine. I meet many Qatari businessmen, tourists and medical patients who visit Ukraine, and they are all satisfied with their stay in our country. But, they have one concern, which is of course, the absence of a direct air link. This is of great importance for us," the ambassador explained.
According to the ambassador, the establishment of a direct air link could serve to boost relations even further. He noted that it would be equally useful to Ukrainian travellers. 
The ambassador said,"Not only Qatari travellers would be in favour of this, but also Ukrainians, who number around 45 million people. Ukrainian travellers can use Doha as a very important hub for travel and tourism further afield, to different countries in Asia, and Australia."