Ukraine reveals roadmap for potentially opening airspace under martial law

At the Warsaw event, the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development, backed by the US Embassy in Ukraine, collaborated with the State Aviation Service, the State enterprise of air traffic service of Ukraine "Ukraerorukh," the Air Force Command, and the leaders of international airports to present a plan for reopening Ukraine's airspace during times of war.

The Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories reported that.

Around one hundred aviation industry members attended the event, including regulators from the European Union, Great Britain, and the United States, executives from Ukrainian and international airlines that have previously operated flights in Ukraine, insurance and leasing companies, and aircraft manufacturers. Deputy Minister Serhii Derkach represented the Ministry of Development of Communities and Territories.

Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction – Minister of Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, emphasized that preserving aviation infrastructure is a strategic task.

^{Photo: Ministry of Community and Territorial Development}

"This is the initial expert discussion that we believe will aid our efforts in creating the necessary conditions for reopening the airspace. In times of war, we must maintain our aviation infrastructure and trained personnel so that we can resume civilian flights as smoothly as possible when the opportunity arises. This complex issue requires careful consideration of security and collaboration with all parties involved. That is why we advocate for collaborative platforms in our collaborations with foreign industry regulators, insurance firms, airports, and military entities," Oleksii Kuleba stressed.

During the event, Mary Elizabeth Madden, the Economic Counselor of the US Embassy in Ukraine, emphasized the crucial role of supporting Ukraine in restoring its civil aviation sector. She also highlighted the United States' willingness to offer expert and technical aid.

The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency, AirBaltic Airlines, Austrian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, SkyUp Airlines, Skyline Express, SprintAir, Supernova Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Wizz Air, AerCap, Boeing, Marsh McLennan, Deloitte Ukraine and others joined the expert discussion.

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In April, the European Air Navigation Safety Organization released a forecast for the aviation industry's development until 2029. They predict that flight limitations over Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, and Moldova will remain in effect for approximately seven additional years.

Meanwhile, "Ukraerorukh," a state-owned enterprise, declared that the airspace will be reopened as soon as hostilities cease and Ukraine emerges victorious. The company stressed that Ukraine is fully committed to being ready for the swift resumption of flights in its airspace once the war ends.

The Air Force previously skeptically assessed the possibility of resuming civil aviation flights in Ukraine during martial law.

It was also reported that the Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair stated that it is considering the possibility of resuming a small number of flights to Ukraine by the end of 2023, subject to successful negotiations on the partial opening of the airspace.

According to Rubryka, the management of Ryanair, Europe's largest airline, arrived in Ukraine on July 20. The delegation was in talks with the management of Boryspil International Airport about resuming flights after the war's conclusion.