Flights resumption in Ukraine: three cities were checked, but only one of them has the best chances

In Ukraine, the delegations inspected the airports in Lviv, Uzhhorod and Kyiv. It turned out that the airport in Kyiv met the standards the best. If security can be ensured, at least one of the airports may be opened for flights.

On March 12, Kostiantyn Kryvolap, a former test engineer at the Antonov Design Bureau, told Yedyni Novyny (United News) that if security is not ensured, there will be no flights. He noted that Ukraine, unlike Russia, would not be "committing suicide." The Russians are using airplanes that refused to be serviced by foreign companies and that stopped receiving imported parts.

"The delegations were in Uzhhorod, Lviv and Kyiv. Kyiv is probably the most prepared in terms of airspace security. But I don't rule out that it could be Lviv. Uzhhorod is not so convenient as it takes a long time to get there, but it is possible," he said.

Why Ukraine is talking about resuming flights again

The resumption of talks about the possibility of resuming civilian flights in Ukraine was preceded by a statement by the Minister of Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov that Ukraine was starting official negotiations on the opening of passenger airports. In particular:

• negotiations will be held with aviation regulators of the United States and the European Union (EU);
• the Ukrainian side is also consulting with the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority to learn from its experience in ensuring flight safety.

At the same time, he said, it is not yet possible to talk about any specific timeframe for the resumption of passenger flights.

"It is impossible to carry out international air travel without the approval of two regulators: European and American... The Ukrainian side is already sharing with the regulators its vision of how the market will work under martial law, its risk assessment, approaches, algorithms... I don't want to say any terms, but now we will officially convey our vision to the regulators, and we are entering into official negotiations with them," Kubrakov said.

According to him, several plans to resume passenger flights are currently being developed, and they cover a different number of airports. The main plan can be chosen only after receiving the first comments from aviation regulators.

Earlier, in January 2014, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Rostyslav Shurma said that 2 airports were being considered: Boryspil and Lviv ones. However, according to Shurma, the first one is the priority.

This possibility was suggested by the head of the Presidential Administration Andrii Yermak. However, according to him, the main condition is to provide Ukraine with additional air defense systems.

What the military says

It should be borne in mind that the spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yurii Ihnat, has previously made it clear that the only condition for the resumption of flights will be that the military has all the necessary means to protect the sky. He explained that currently all Ukrainian airfields are "operational" and they are all under the control of the military.

"We need to understand what kind of security or danger exists... If the enemy realizes that there is a functioning airport in Ukraine, it will see it as a potential target," Ihnat stated.

As reported, the first flights of civil aviation in the country at war may be cargo flights rather than passenger flights. The reason is the rather complicated procedure for approving the safety of such flights. In its course, Ukraine may receive a number of recommendations from its partners on what conditions should be provided for air carriers.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!