Brief

The Ministry for Communities and Territories Development has created a working group to prepare for the restoration of airport operations — the order was signed by Vice Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba. The group's goal is to prepare proposals for the resumption of civil aviation flights and to ensure the protection of critical aviation infrastructure.

Who's on the team and why it matters

The head of the working group is Deputy Minister Serhii Derkach. The group includes heads of the international airports Boryspil, Lviv and Kyiv, representatives of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defense (including the deputy commander of the Air Force, Pavlo Yelizarov), as well as specialists from the State Aviation Service and Ukraerorukh.

The combination of civilian operators and the military in the group is a sign that the issue is being considered through the lens of two main interests: security and operational readiness. For each passenger this means not only the return of flights, but also assurances that any reopening will take into account risks to people and equipment.

What has already been done and the international context

In March 2024, then-Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov announced the start of official talks with the US and the EU on restoring air links. In October 2024 the government prepared a plan for the partial opening of airspace during martial law — a technical framework for further decisions.

European low-cost carriers are already signalling willingness to quickly resume flights if conditions improve: this concerns not only Wizz Air and Ryanair, but also EasyJet. This is a social and economic signal: airlines are weighing demand, reputational risks, and the conditions for returning to Ukraine.

"Ukraine is beginning official talks with the US and the EU to restore air links."

— Oleksandr Kubrakov, Minister of Infrastructure (March 2024)

"Supernova Airlines will start flights from Ukraine as soon as the sky is opened."

— Volodymyr Popereshniuk, owner of Supernova Airlines (interview with LIGA Business)

Practical implications for Ukraine

The restoration of air links affects three things that matter to everyone: security (a more controlled and protected airspace), the economy (tourism, logistics, the return of business operations), and social ties (mobility for the diaspora, easier travel and evacuation in emergencies).

However, the key condition remains unchanged: opening the airspace is the result of agreements at national and international levels, and a proven ability to protect airports and routes.

What comes next

The working group must prepare practical proposals and a roadmap. The next stage is to synchronize these proposals with allies and carriers, inspect infrastructure, and run through security procedures. Only after that can specific dates and schedules be discussed.

Forecast: if the group's work focuses on concrete technical solutions and international agreements, the first partial resumption of flights may be possible in the medium term. But for every Ukrainian this is not only about convenience — it's a marker of partners' trust and of economic stability.

Now it is up to the partners: whether they turn declarations and plans into a clear roadmap will be decided by the combination of politics, security, and international coordination.