It could take up to five months for Ukraine’s airports to reopen
Volodymyr Kreidenko, Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, stated that the resumption of civil aviation is only possible once safety conditions have been put in place.
According to him, if a team is formed, a plan of action is drawn up and a way is found to guarantee the safety of individual airports, civil air transport could be resumed within three to five months.
Kreidenko noted that Ukrainians would then be able to use domestic airlines for travel abroad. However, he did not comment on the technical condition of Ukrainian airports, explaining that such information could be exploited by the enemy.
What is the main condition for reopening airports?
The key condition is not the condition of the airports themselves, but flight safety and the protection of airspace.
According to Kreidenko, the decision should not be taken by relevant officials alone. Representatives of the executive branch, the military, and experts in security and the aviation sector must be involved in the process.
It must be determined separately which airports can operate first, which routes will be safe, and how to ensure air cover, insurance and the readiness of airlines to operate flights.
Which airports might reopen first
Kraydenko had previously suggested that airports in the western regions might be the first to resume operations. Among the possible options, he mentioned Lviv, Uzhhorod or Mukachevo.
These cities are being considered due to their geographical location and distance from the front line. However, even if an airport is technically ready, this does not automatically mean flights will resume.
Reopening requires government decisions, an assessment of military risks, the functioning of security systems, agreement with airlines and insurance arrangements.
What the government is already doing
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the Strategy for the Development of Civil Aviation in Ukraine until 2030 and established an Interdepartmental Coordination Centre to prepare for the resumption of air services.
Deputy Prime Minister for Recovery Oleksii Kuleba explained that there is currently no question of a rapid reopening of airspace. Due to ongoing Russian attacks, this is not yet possible.
According to him, the strategy is needed for responsible planning for the future. It is intended to serve as the basis for the post-war recovery of the aviation sector and the adaptation of Ukraine’s transport system to EU requirements.
What the aviation strategy up to 2030 entails
The strategy provides for the modernisation of airport and air navigation infrastructure, Ukraine’s integration into the Single European Sky, the development of multimodal transport links and the implementation of modern aviation safety standards.
The document is also in line with Ukraine’s National Transport Strategy and the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
Implementation of the strategy is planned in two phases: 2026–2028 and 2029–2030.
Why Ukraine’s airspace remains closed
Ukraine’s airspace was closed to civil aviation following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Since then, no passenger flights have operated from Ukrainian airports.
Ukrainians mainly use airports in neighbouring countries — Poland, Moldova, Romania, Hungary and Slovakia.
Russian missile and drone attacks remain the main risk to the resumption of flights. This is why any reopening of airports is only possible following a specific security assessment.
The mention of three to five months does not mean that flights to Ukraine already have a specific launch date. This is an indicative timeframe that may be required once the government has made a decision and put the necessary security measures in place.
For the time being, Ukrainian airspace remains closed to civil aviation. The government is preparing infrastructure and organisational measures, but the actual reopening of airports will depend on the security situation.
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