Step towards resumption of air travel: innovative radar to be installed in Ukraine
12 March 2025 09:49
UkSATSE has signed a contract with the French Thales Group, the largest manufacturer of communications equipment, to install a combined primary and secondary radar with fast deployability. This is one of the key steps in restoring air traffic over Ukraine and ensuring the current level of air travel safety. This was reported by the press service of Ukraerorukh, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
The war has caused significant damage to Ukraine’s air navigation infrastructure. Restoration of radar coverage is a priority for UkSATSE, as without it, full resumption of flights is impossible.
The contract with THALES LAS FRANCE SAS, one of the world leaders in quantum technologies and cybersecurity, will ensure that:
- Reliable surveillance of Ukraine’s airspace
- Prompt deployment of the system in the right areas
- High quality air navigation services
French grant for critical infrastructure
The project is being implemented under the Grant Agreement between the governments of Ukraine and France, which is aimed at restoring critical infrastructure and supporting priority sectors of the economy. The installation of PORL/MWORL radar has been identified as one of the key areas for UkSATSE.
Director of UkSATSE: “This is an important step for the resumption of flights”
Andrii Yarmak, the Head of UkSATSE, emphasized that the restoration of radar infrastructure is a strategic task:
“By actively preparing for the gradual resumption of civil aviation flights in the airspace of Ukraine, we care about the efficiency and quality of air navigation services.”
Wizz Air plans to resume flights to Ukraine shortly after any ceasefire with Russia is announced. The company will resume about 30 routes within six weeks.
Another low-cost airline , Ryanair, also said it would start flying to Ukraine after the war ends.
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Key conditions for opening the skies
The decision to resume air traffic in Ukraine depends on the security assessment. According to Dubrevsky, Boryspil airport can be reopened only after the State Aviation Administration makes a decision. This will only be possible if the level of air defense is recognized as sufficient to ensure flight safety.
“We are talking about safety, no one will take risks… we cannot risk the lives of passengers, crews, personnel, etc. This can only happen if we build a security architecture that guarantees safety on the ground, in the air, and along the route of the aircraft. And this work is underway. As for the military, today they have an understanding of what they need to do. We are working together with our foreign partners to build this structure, this architecture. If, for example, the military says that they give the go-ahead to fly, that a decision has been made, the State Aviation Administration will also give the go-ahead,” the Boryspil CEO emphasized.
Forecasts and plans
According to Dubrevsky, there is a high probability of receiving positive decisions from international aviation security agencies in the near future. He also recalled the statement of Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary, who expressed his readiness to launch a program to resume flights from Ukraine within a month after the issuance of a security clearance.
“I will be optimistic, we have very high expectations for this year. I really hope that it will come under the slogan Fly, baby, fly!” said Dubrevsky.
How long will it take to resume flights?
The Boryspil CEO noted that 24 hours in the warm season and 48 hours in the winter are enough for immediate acceptance of an aircraft or technical overhaul of an aircraft.
The resumption of passenger traffic will take about three weeks.
Thus, Ukraine is confidently moving towards the return of civil aviation, and concrete decisions on opening the skies may appear in the near future.
