Air Baltic ready to resume flights from Ukraine after airspace reopening

Air Baltic, which was actively operating at key Ukrainian airports before the start of the full-scale war, has expressed interest in resuming flights to Ukraine after the airspace reopens. This was announced after a meeting between the airline's management and representatives of the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine.

The meeting, which discussed a number of important issues, including the state of civil aviation in Ukraine, the possibilities of supporting and training Ukrainian specialists, as well as minimizing the risks associated with the partial reopening of airspace, was an important step towards the resumption of international air traffic. According to Serhiy Derkach, Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development, the main priorities now are to preserve personnel, support airport infrastructure, and ensure the stable functioning of air navigation.

Safety will remain a key factor in the reopening of airspace. A comprehensive risk assessment has already been carried out in Ukraine, which is currently being worked on together with airlines and regulators to determine the conditions under which the opening of the skies will be possible. "We have already developed a detailed risk assessment and are now working together on this document to ensure the maximum level of safety," said Serhiy Derkach.

Air Baltic expressed its readiness to resume flights from Ukraine when the situation allows. As noted by Thomas Ramdahl, the company's first vice president, it was one of the main carriers in Ukraine until 2022, operating regular flights through Lviv International Airport and opening new routes from Boryspil. In 2019, the airline carried about 220 thousand passengers.

Ramdahl emphasized that Air Baltic consistently adheres to its commitment to become the first airline to return to Ukraine when it becomes safe. "The safety of our employees and passengers will always be our priority, and after our second visit to Kyiv, we are actively preparing for our return. We look forward to the resumption of air services, which is essential for the restoration of Ukraine's aviation infrastructure," he added.

This initiative is part of Ukraine's broader efforts to rebuild its airports and civil aviation after the war, and also contributes to the development of international relations. The resumption of flights by airlines such as Air Baltic is an important milestone in the recovery of the country's economy and infrastructure.