Ukraine is actively preparing for the resumption of air travel, drawing significant public attention. At an international conference held in Warsaw on October 28, 2024, the Ministry of Communities and Territorial Development presented a roadmap for a partial reopening of Ukraine’s airspace during wartime. Additionally, on November 7, 2024, the 10th Kyiv International Economic Forum took place in Kyiv, where officials and experts discussed the prospects of restoring flights in 2025 under martial law and identified airports that could lead the way in reopening.
During the Warsaw conference, Deputy Minister Serhii Derkach introduced a step-by-step plan and outlined the requirements for partially reopening airspace. He stated, “This is a highly complex issue from both security and coordination perspectives. For this reason, we are working closely with international industry regulators, airlines, insurers, airports, and military representatives to establish a joint plan.”
Experts in aviation security and economics suggest that now is the time to open certain airports, as Ukraine has already established preliminary infrastructure and defense systems needed to safely resume flights in specific regions.
Security Factors for Resuming Flights in Ukraine
Air Defense Systems (ADS) are crucial in selecting airports for resuming passenger flights. According to national security sources and military experts, safeguarding large facilities like Boryspil and Lviv airports requires defense levels on par with Ukraine's strategically important cities, such as Zaporizhzhia and Dnipro. Sources report that ensuring such security would require at least ten state-of-the-art ADS, such as Patriot, NASAMS, and IRIS-T systems, capable of delivering multi-layered protection.
Currently, resources needed to secure airports are extremely limited, with priority given to critical infrastructure protection. However, the availability of reliable ADS at any given airport will be a deciding factor in the decision to resume air travel.
Leading Candidates for Resumption: Lviv, Kyiv (Zhuliany), and Boryspil
Three main airports are considered top candidates for the resumption of air travel in Ukraine: Lviv, Kyiv (Zhuliany), and Boryspil. Each offers unique advantages and a high level of readiness, meeting essential logistical and security requirements.
Lviv: Proximity to the EU
Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport benefits from its location near Ukraine’s western border, offering convenience for international airlines and increased appeal to carriers aiming to quickly restore routes to Europe. Airport Director Tetiana Romanovska emphasized Lviv’s readiness: “We have implemented additional infrastructure security measures that fully meet modern aviation safety standards. This ensures reliable passenger protection and a quick restart of flights as soon as the decision is made.”
Thus, Lviv Airport is well-positioned to support the effective restoration of air connectivity and handle international flights, provided a robust air defense system is established.
Boryspil: Ukraine's Major Hub on Kyiv’s Left Bank
Kyiv Boryspil International Airport, Ukraine’s largest aviation hub, is capable of accommodating high passenger volumes. Airport CEO Oleksii Dubrevskyi stated that Boryspil could begin handling flights within a month after the end of hostilities: “We don’t want to spend one or two years wondering ‘What will we do after the war?’ We are taking all necessary steps to restore flights as quickly as possible. We have repaired all damages and are ready to operate as soon as conditions allow.”
Despite its advanced infrastructure, Boryspil faces specific challenges that impact its reopening prospects during wartime. Located on the left bank of the Dnipro River, Boryspil’s accessibility and security could be affected in emergencies or if bridge capacity is restricted during air alerts.
The issue of Boryspil’s safety requires a strategic approach, as full operation would require additional ADS installations, such as the Patriot system. However, acquiring these systems is challenging, as they are urgently needed at the frontlines and in combat zones. Without modern ADS, resuming full-scale passenger services through Boryspil remains premature. Only with an appropriate level of protection will the airport ensure passenger safety and reliable flight operations.
Financial Considerations of Resumption
Boryspil’s extensive infrastructure and capacity, which were previously seen as assets, have now become significant financial burdens. During wartime and under limited funding, maintaining such a large facility requires substantial resources from the state, as Boryspil is a government-owned enterprise. Given wartime priorities, with most budget funds directed toward supporting the front, a full-scale reopening of Boryspil will necessitate careful financial planning and cost optimization.
The ministry's roadmap envisions a phased reopening of airspace with limited initial flights, which implies that even partial connectivity will require the full operational capacity of Boryspil’s infrastructure, demanding substantial financial resources. This raises questions regarding the economic feasibility of fully resuming operations at Boryspil at this stage.
Nonetheless, Boryspil’s management is proactively preparing for the resumption of air travel. With its robust infrastructure, Boryspil is poised for rapid mobilization as soon as security conditions allow.
Kyiv International Airport (Zhuliany): Strategic Location and High-Level Protection
Kyiv International Airport (Zhuliany), situated on the right bank of the Dnipro, has strategic advantages due to its compact design, proximity to the city center, and close access to key administrative and government institutions. Additionally, its location within the capital ensures a high level of protection, as it is covered by Kyiv’s ADS network, which includes advanced air defense systems. This multi-layered protection makes Kyiv Airport (Zhuliany) an optimal choice for resuming flights even under wartime conditions.
Vladimir Kudak, CEO of Master-Avia, which operates Kyiv Airport (Zhuliany), said, “Zhuliany provides quick access for Kyiv residents and is cost-effective for handling the limited flights planned by the Ministry in the early stages of reopening. We can operate without additional state funding, which is essential when resources are focused on supporting Ukraine.”
With its compact, efficiently planned infrastructure, Kyiv (Zhuliany) Airport can provide economically optimized passenger services, meeting the requirements of the first phase of air travel resumption in Ukraine. Compared to larger airports, Zhuliany’s per-passenger costs are lower, a key factor given limited funding during wartime. This planned optimization supports both security and comfort while minimizing costs, aligning with modern economic priorities and ensuring efficient resource use in the capital.
“Our infrastructure is in excellent technical condition, and our safety and security systems are calibrated and tested. Our team fully understands how to deliver a reliable and secure service for passengers,” Kudak emphasized.
The location on the right bank of the Dnipro and accessibility to key transportation routes make Zhuliany not only convenient but also strategically significant for Ukraine’s capital.
Resuming Air Travel in Ukraine in 2025: A Strategic Step for the Nation
Expert opinions shared at conferences and economic forums highlight the need for a phased approach to resuming air traffic in Ukraine, considering both security and economic factors. Given the factors outlined above, Kyiv (Zhuliany) Airport emerges as the optimal choice for the initial reopening phase, meeting all essential criteria: compact, cost-effective, and protected by existing ADS.
This choice will enable Ukraine to maintain air connectivity while optimizing budgetary resources and focusing defense potential where it is most needed. Selecting Zhuliany as a pilot airport within the phased air travel resumption program allows practical testing of all coordination mechanisms with the Armed Forces and other services, as well as refining flight protocols. This step-by-step plan will foster an effective cooperation model between civil and military structures, scalable to other airports in the future.
Based on the experience gained and refined security protocols, further steps for flight resumption can be planned. As passenger flow increases and ADS at other airports is enhanced, the gradual reopening of Boryspil and Lviv airports can be considered. This phased approach provides a flexible and stable foundation for the development of air travel in Ukraine, allowing the state to allocate resources wisely and ensure the gradual restoration of aviation infrastructure.
