The Ministry of Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, with the support of the U.S. Embassy, presented a roadmap for opening Ukraine’s airspace under martial law during an event in Warsaw. The event brought together representatives from the aviation sector, including regulatory authorities from the EU, the UK, and the U.S., as well as leaders from Ukrainian and foreign airlines.
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Strategic task of preserving aviation infrastructure
Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba emphasized the importance of preserving aviation infrastructure amid the war. He noted that a strategic task is to prepare for the restoration of civilian flights when possible. “This is the first expert discussion that we hope will help us move forward in creating conditions for opening the airspace,” he added.
Support from the U.S.
Mary Elizabeth Madden, economic advisor at the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, highlighted the importance of supporting Ukraine in its efforts to restore civil aviation and the U.S. readiness to provide expert and technical assistance.
Roadmap for opening airspace
Deputy Minister Serhiy Derkach presented a step-by-step plan for the partial opening of airspace. The risk assessment for civil aviation was prepared by the State Aviation Service, and the director of Ukraerorukh, Andriy Yarmak, reported on the safety of air navigation.
Airport readiness
The general directors of Boryspil International Airport and Lviv International Airport, Oleksiy Dubrevskyi and Tetiana Romanovska, also discussed their airports’ readiness for potential reopening.
Coordination of civil and military aviation
Oleg Zakharchuk, deputy commander of the Air Command “Center,” presented mechanisms for coordinating civil and military aviation, which is a crucial aspect of ensuring flight safety.
Involvement of international companies
Representatives from the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency and airlines such as AirBaltic, Austrian Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines, SkyUp Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and many others participated in the discussion.
Opening Ukraine’s airspace is an important step towards restoring aviation activities in the country, and the efforts currently being made will contribute to this goal.
