The Ukrainian government has commenced efforts to restore airport operations, establishing a specialized working group under the Ministry of Communities and Territories Development. This initiative was confirmed by Oleksiy Kuleba, the Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction and Minister of Communities and Territories Development.
The newly formed group will focus on developing proposals for the ministry’s leadership regarding the resumption of civil aviation flights in Ukrainian airspace. Additionally, it will prepare measures to protect critical infrastructure within the civil aviation sector.
Functioning as an advisory body, the working group may include representatives from central executive authorities, local self-government bodies, and organizations related to the aviation industry. The group will primarily operate through meetings aimed at formulating recommendations for the potential reopening of airports and civil aviation flights in Ukraine, with decisions made by a majority vote of its members.
On February 24, 2022, Ukraine’s airspace was closed to civilian aircraft by Ukraerorukh due to the Russian invasion. Currently, there are no plans to reopen Ukrainian airspace for civilian flights.
On April 11, 2023, Ukraerorukh announced that the airspace would be reopened immediately following the conclusion of hostilities and Ukraine’s victory. Eurocontrol has projected that flight operations in Ukraine may resume by 2029.
In November 2023, Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, suggested that one airport could potentially be opened for civilian flights before the war’s end, contingent upon significant enhancements to air defense and the protection of Ukrainian airspace.
By the end of 2024, Minister Oleksiy Kuleba indicated in an interview that Ukraine’s aviation service is prepared to resume flights at 95% capacity, although ensuring passenger safety remains a critical factor.
The Ukrainian government is taking steps to restore airport operations through a newly established working group aimed at developing proposals for civil aviation resumption. While the airspace remains closed due to ongoing conflict, discussions about safety measures and potential openings are underway.