Resumption of flights in Ukraine: Boryspil CEO talks about prospects
7 February 2025 06:15
Ukraine continues to work actively to create a new security architecture that will allow the resumption of air traffic. According to Boryspil International Airport CEO Oleksiy Dubrevsky, the process is already 60-70% complete. Boryspil International Airport CEO Oleksiy Dubrevsky said this, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports citing Interfax-Ukraine.
Dubrevsky noted that a fundamentally new risk management system is being created. It provides for the functioning of a special joint coordination center between military and civilian structures. Ukrainian and international experts have been working on this project since 2022, and most of the necessary measures have already been taken.
“I can tell you that Ukraine is seriously considering this option… Not only Ukrainian specialists are involved, but also from all over the world. A lot of work has been done, and there is still a lot to be done… As of today, the work that was started in 2022 is 60-70% complete,” Dubrevsky said during the Global Outlook discussion organized by the European Business Association.
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 to that effect. 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.
