Ukraine explores transport alternatives amid airspace closure
Fifteen civilian airports in Ukraine have been heavily damaged since Russia invaded in February 2022, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated, as reported by Ukrinform.
Ukraine, with 20 civilian airports according to the state aviation authority, has been exploring options for partially reopening its airspace, which has remained fully closed since the war began.
At present, Ukrainians traveling abroad must first use road or rail to reach neighboring countries before catching a flight. For residents of eastern Ukraine, the trip out of the country can take an entire day.
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized that, given the security situation, it is currently impossible to partially reopen the airspace. He underscored the importance of developing alternative routes for freight delivery and passenger transport.
“We conducted a risk assessment and identified the air defense requirements for partially reopening the airspace,” Shmyhal stated, as reported by Ukrinform at a transportation conference. “Security concerns and the military situation remain critical factors in this decision,” he added.
He further noted that Russia has attacked Ukraine's port infrastructure almost 60 times over the past three months, causing damage to or destruction of nearly 300 facilities and 22 civilian vessels.
Currently, Ukraine's airspace remains closed to flights because of martial law.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
