UKRAINE has opened talks with regulators, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (F) in the hope of re-opening national airspace to commercial traffic, reports New Jersey's Aviation International News (AIN).
Ukrainian airspace has been closed to civilian traffic since Russia invaded the country in February 2022.
Confirmation this week that the Ukrainian government has initiated talks with EASA and the F over a possible reopening of its airspace to international air traffic has raised questions in the industry as to how this could be achieved safely while intense combat continue.
Ukraine deputy prime minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said while no timeline for the restoration of civil flights can be confirmed, the government has 'conveyed its vision to the regulators on how the market will operate under the conditions of martial law, its risk assessments, approaches, and algorithms'.
Ukrainian officials have held talks with their counterparts at Israel's Civil Aviation Authority, seeking guidance as to how airspace could be opened up during an ongoing conflict.
There has been no public confirmation as to which of the country's airports might be reopened, but Kubrakov indicated that several Ukrainian airlines, as well as European carriers such as Ryanair, have expressed interest in resuming scheduled services.
Aviation security expert Eric Schouten with risk management and intelligence group Dyami urged caution in plans for reopening airspace in Ukraine. However, he told AIN that any resumption of flights could potentially begin with cargo and business aviation operations, rather than airline services.
SeaNews Turkey
Ukrainian airspace has been closed to civilian traffic since Russia invaded the country in February 2022.
Confirmation this week that the Ukrainian government has initiated talks with EASA and the F over a possible reopening of its airspace to international air traffic has raised questions in the industry as to how this could be achieved safely while intense combat continue.
Ukraine deputy prime minister Oleksandr Kubrakov said while no timeline for the restoration of civil flights can be confirmed, the government has 'conveyed its vision to the regulators on how the market will operate under the conditions of martial law, its risk assessments, approaches, and algorithms'.
Ukrainian officials have held talks with their counterparts at Israel's Civil Aviation Authority, seeking guidance as to how airspace could be opened up during an ongoing conflict.
There has been no public confirmation as to which of the country's airports might be reopened, but Kubrakov indicated that several Ukrainian airlines, as well as European carriers such as Ryanair, have expressed interest in resuming scheduled services.
Aviation security expert Eric Schouten with risk management and intelligence group Dyami urged caution in plans for reopening airspace in Ukraine. However, he told AIN that any resumption of flights could potentially begin with cargo and business aviation operations, rather than airline services.
SeaNews Turkey
