Currently, it is impossible to even partially open airspace over Ukraine - Shmyhal
Currently, it is impossible to partially open the airspace over Ukraine due to the security situation.
This was stated by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal during the International Transport Forum, Censor.NET reports citing Ukrinform.
"We have conducted a risk assessment and determined the need for air defense forces and means to partially open the airspace. Security and military issues remain key to this decision. That is why it is important for us to develop alternative routes for the delivery of goods and the movement of passengers. We are talking about the land border, road and rail transport," the Prime Minister said.
Shmyhal also noted that during the Russian attacks, the aviation infrastructure was damaged, and at least 15 civilian airports were affected.
In addition, he recalled that over the past three months, the enemy has carried out almost 60 attacks on port infrastructure, resulting in damage or destruction of almost 300 facilities and 22 civilian vessels, and dozens of people were injured.
"Despite the aggressor's constant attempts to cause even more destruction, thanks to the Defense Forces, we were able to ensure the stable operation of the Ukrainian sea corridor. Today, more than 2,800 vessels have used it, transporting more than 75 million tons of cargo for more than 40 countries, of which more than 50 million tons are agricultural products," the Prime Minister emphasized.
He emphasized that this "once again confirms that Ukraine remains a guarantor of food security, despite the regular shelling of port infrastructure by the enemy."
Resumption of flights in Ukraine
Earlier it was reported that the Aviation Service of Ukraine is ready to resume flights by 95%, but the key factor for this is to ensure passenger safety.
Prior to that, the Ministry of Community and Territorial Development, with the support of the US Embassy, developed a roadmap for opening Ukraine's airspace under martial law, which was presented in Poland to global aviation market participants.
In turn, Crispin Allison, a senior partner at Marsh McLennan, said that one of the Ukrainian airports would resume international flights by the end of January 2025 and that Lviv or Boryspil airports are currently being discussed.
A government source also said that air traffic would be resumed by the end of winter 2025, and the authorities are currently looking for effective insurance mechanisms.
At the same time, President Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal insist on Boryspil because they fear that if Lviv is launched first, Boryspil will not be able to be launched before the end of martial law.
