Civil Aviation Operations Unlikely to Restart During Martial Law - Ukrainian Air Force Spokesman

The possibility of an early resumption of civil aviation flights, in spite of the hopes recently expressed by Ryanair, remains uncertain while martial law continues, according to Yurii Ihnat, the spokesperson of the air forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU). 

"With the country under martial law, it's challenging to foresee how we can safely operate flights. While we had a grain corridor left untouched by Russia, it's uncertain whether humanitarian aviation corridors will remain secure," Ihnat stated speaking during the national telethon.

"Currently, all Ukrainian airfields, which serve various purposes, are operational. However, in a war-torn country like ours, missiles and enemy drones can appear anywhere at any time," he added.

Despite the challenges, the airman acknowledged the interest of airlines, such as Ryanair, in entering the Ukrainian aviation market, demonstrating Ukraine's importance as a significant player in air communication both regionally and globally.

However, amidst the uncertainties surrounding the war, questions remain regarding the insurance coverage for aircraft and passengers during wartime operations. 

"As long as the war persists, it seems unlikely that civil aviation can resume without significant risks. Our vast territory is susceptible to missile attacks from different directions, and the enemy possesses powerful technological weaponry," Ihnat concluded.

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Last week, on July 20, the leaders of Europe's largest low-cost airline, Ryanair, arrived in Kyiv and held an important meeting on restoring the aviation industry in Ukrainian.

Ryanair management held talks with a team from the Ministry of Reconstruction, headed by the Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration, Minister of Development of Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Оlexander Kubrakov.

The working meeting was also attended by the heads of the three airports: Boryspil, Alexey Dubrevsky; Lviv, Tatyana Romanovskaya; and Odesa, Vladimir Semenchenko, as well as the leadership of the Ukrainian State Air Traffic Services Enterprise (UkSATSE).

During the visit, Michael O'Leary, CEO of Ryanair Group unveiled a plan to invest more than $3 billion, which will allow flights to resume as soon as possible after the opening of Ukrainian airspace to civil aviation.