Prospects for Restarting Civil Aviation in Ukraine
Ukraine’s civil aviation sector could be operational again in just three to five months, provided the necessary security conditions are met. This assessment comes from Volodymyr Kreydenko, a member of parliament and deputy head of the Verkhovna Rada’s Committee on Transport and Infrastructure. He stressed that ensuring airport safety and putting proper security mechanisms in place are essential for a successful resumption of flights.
The national budget already allocates funds to keep airports running and support their staff. However, Kreydenko declined to comment on the technical state of Ukrainian airports, citing the risk that such details could be exploited by the enemy. In March, Oleksiy Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration, announced that preparations for reopening airports had begun, along with the formation of a dedicated working group to draft proposals for restarting air travel.
Key Obstacles to Restoring Air Links
Aviation expert Bohdan Dolintse points to the lack of a war-risk insurance mechanism as one of the main barriers to restoring air connections. This unresolved issue continues to hinder progress on plans to revive civil aviation.
Iryna Kosse, a lead researcher at the Institute for Economic Research and Policy Consulting, believes Turkey is the most realistic destination for resuming flights. She also suggested that Lviv’s airport could serve as the starting point for a gradual reopening of air travel.
“If a dedicated team is assembled, security conditions are prepared, and measures are developed to protect these specific airports, I think we could launch civil aviation within three to five months. People would then be able to use our domestic airlines to travel abroad.” — Volodymyr Kreydenko
Ultimately, the timeline for reviving Ukraine’s civil aviation hinges on creating a secure environment and resolving insurance-related challenges.
Restarting civil aviation would mark a significant step in rebuilding Ukraine’s infrastructure and economy after the conflict. Given the importance of air travel for international trips and business, successfully reopening the skies could boost Ukraine’s appeal as a tourist destination and strengthen ties with other nations. At the same time, security and insurance issues remain critical to ensuring the stability of the aviation sector amid ongoing challenges.
As Ukraine prepares for the potential revival of its civil aviation sector, the government's recent approval of a comprehensive aviation recovery strategy through 2030 highlights the long-term vision necessary for sustainable air travel. This initiative aims to address not only immediate challenges but also to lay the groundwork for future growth and safety in the aviation industry.