Ukraine initiates negotiations with US and EU on resuming air travel - Ukrainian Minister
Photo: Minister for Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukraine officially begins negotiations with US and EU regulators to resume passenger air travel in our country. Consultations are also taking place with the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority, according to Oleksandr Kubrakov, Vice Prime Minister for Restoration and Minister for Community Development, Territories and Infrastructure.
It is too early to talk about any deadlines, the Minister emphasizes. However, the Ukrainian side is already sharing with regulators its vision of how the market will operate under martial law, as well as its risk assessment, approaches, and algorithms.
"There are not many examples in the world where airports are operating and drones or missiles can arrive at any time. Israel is the most successful example. We have spent a lot of time and are consulting with the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority," Kubrakov says.
According to him, there are different scenarios at the level of plans regarding the number of airports that can be opened in Ukraine. "It is important for us to hear the first official feedback from the regulators," the Minister adds.
Kubrakov assures that there are European airlines that are interested and want to be the first to reopen the Ukrainian air market, but refused to name them. According to him, negotiations are also underway with three Ukrainian companies.
"They also confirm, of course, that they want to fly here, this is their base airport, their base country," the Minister says.
As for the creation of Ukraine's national airline operator, Kubrakov explains that it is not a top priority during the war, but that this issue will need to be revisited later.
Opening of airports in Ukraine
In June 2023, Ukraine began discussing the possibility of reopening Lviv Airport following the example of the grain corridor.
Last July, Ryanair's management visited Ukraine and held talks with Boryspil Airport management about resuming flights after the war.
At the time, the airline's CEO said that Ryanair could resume flights to Ukraine by the end of 2023.
