airBaltic has this week revealed that they are eyeing a return of flights between Riga and Kyiv in Ukraine.
This is yet another development in the potential restart of Ukraine operations, as Boryspil Airport continues to put the feelers out.
Without further ado, let’s get into it…
Riga-Kyiv Flights On The Cards Again?
airBaltic President & CEO Martin Gauss met with Oleksiy Dubrevskyy, the CEO of Boryspil Airport in Kyiv.
They met to discuss the airport’s reopening, as well as the potential for flights from Riga and their other operations.
In a statement, Gauss said the following on this:
“We are committed to be actively involved in the recovery of Ukraine’s air traffic.”
“airBaltic remains a confident and supportive partner in the reconstruction and investment in Ukrainian aviation.”
“Amid the harshest conditions of war, we have witnessed the professionalism of the airport team, looking forward to resume flights at the earliest opportunity.”
“As soon as it is safely possible, given that the safety of our employees, passengers, aircraft, and flights is our top priority, airBaltic is committed to being among the first to resume flights with our neighboring country, ensuring connectivity and supporting Ukraine’s independence. Слава Україні (Glory to Ukraine)!”
Boryspil Airport Putting Out The Feelers Again…
Just two weeks ago, it was revealed that Ukraine was in talks over the opening of Kyiv Boryspil International Airport.
A report from the Kyiv Post has confirmed that negotiations have begun, as the path to restart infrastructure continues.
Such reports of a potential restart of flights out of Kyiv came from Alexander Kubrakov, the Deputy Prime Minister for Reconstruction and Minister for Community, Territory, and Infrastructure Development.
The Kyiv Post confirmed this with Kubrakov’s spokesperson, who said the following:
“It is impossible to make international flights without the approval of two regulators – European and American – this is how it works”.
Furthermore, it is understood that Ukraine has consulted the Israeli Civil Aviation Authority.
This is to acquire best practices for safe airport operation in Kyiv when there are chances of rocket attacks.
The Ukrainian Government will also have to provide guidance on how the airport would run under martial law.
Such information would be the following:
- Risk assessments.
- Approaches for the aircraft.
- Operations with the regulators.
No overall timeline has been confirmed for when commercial flights will begin out of Kyiv as of yet.
Overall…
In conclusion, this is yet another exciting opportunity for Riga-Kyiv flights to take place with airBaltic.
Whilst reopening seems to be quite a ways off, the groundwork has to be laid now for this to take place.
All eyes will be on which other airlines around Europe will begin to serve Boryspil once conditions permit it.
But for now, let’s see how this process develops over the course of 2024.
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