Ukraine starts consultations with the EU and the US on opening its airspace
Ukraine has begun consultations with EU and US regulators to open its airspace to civilian flights. This was stated by Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov during the event “Ukraine. Year 2024” on 1+1 TV channel.
We remind you that rumors about the opening of airspace for civilian aircraft in Ukraine have been circulating for a long time. However, given that martial law has been imposed in Ukraine and there is constant shelling, the prospect of this is questionable.
Also, the current government of Ukraine wants to open Boryspil airport first and does not allow anyone else to open before Boryspil. However, there are airports in Ukraine that are quite safe to fly from, from a safety point of view. This is primarily Uzhhorod Airport, whose runway goes directly into the EU airspace over Slovakia. Next, Chernivtsi Airport, which is only 28 km from the Romanian border. And finally, Lviv Airport, which is also relatively close to the border.
In other words, Ukraine has relatively safe airports for at least cargo and charter flights. Of course, Boryspil is not classified as “safe” because it is far from the border and relatively close to Russia and Belarus. But the Ukrainian government wants to open Boryspil, blocking the opening of other, safer airports.
Thus, Kubrakov said that as of now, Ukraine has submitted official risk assessment statements to European and American safety regulators to confirm the flight plan.
“It’s a complicated process, but Ukraine is taking the first formal steps now, as we are submitting official risk assessment statements to the relevant regulators this week. It is important for us that the American and European regulators confirm our algorithm of actions“, Kubrakov commented.
There is no information yet on the possible timing of the opening of the airspace, as negotiations are ongoing.
Also, on the basis of anonymity, the Ukrainian military responded to such statements, and, to put it mildly, they are not happy about such an initiative, because then the responsibility for security will be assigned to air defense forces.
