The Director General of Ukraine’s Boryspil Airport has addressed participants at the Routes Europen2023 Conference, saying the heart of civil aviation in Ukraine is “still beating.”
Boryspil International Airport (KBP) is Ukraine’s primary international airport serving the capital Kyiv. Prior to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the airport served approximately 65% of passenger air traffic into the country with around 38 scheduled carriers connecting 117 worldwide destinations.
They had restored 83% of its passenger flow following the pandemic, with cargo approaching 70% of its pre-Covid levels.
The airport’s website reported a passenger flow of 707 500 passengers, 6 263 flights, 5 399 tons of cargo and 644 tons of mail handled in December 2021.
Conflict suspends operations
The Russia Ukraine conflict resulted in the suspension of commercial operations into and overflying Ukraine.
Passenger flights stopped at Boryspil in February 2022, and in March 2022, buildings at the airport were damaged by Russian fired missiles, and damage to residential buildings in the vicinity of the Kyiv’s second airport, Zhuliany International Airport (IEV), were impacted.
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The ramp up will be fast
The Director General of Boryspil airport, Oleksiy Dubrevskyy, attended the recent Routes Europe 2023 International aviation conference which took place in Lodz, Poland.
During the conference, it is reported he held several meetings and talks with carriers who utilised the airport prior to the Russian invasion, as well as potential new partners.
The discussions looked at the benefit of renewed operations to Ukraine with a strong focus on how the Ukraine aviation market might shift due to the past few years’ events.
Forecasts suggest an increased demand in charter flights, low-cost segments and cargo transportation.
“The heart of the civil aviation of Ukraine is still beating”
This was the message Dubrevsky sent, and it was well received by the international aviation community. “I want to assure you that the heart of the civil aviation of Ukraine is still beating, as well as the heart of Boryspil airport is beating,” he told the Forum.
Oleksiy Dubrevsky addressed the participants of the forum with representatives from 15 leading European airlines, and delegates from IATA and ACI Europe attending the meetings.
The discussion centered on how the reopening of Boryspil will support the recovery of Ukraine’s economy, tourism sector and global relationships.
Dubrevsky also stressed that they have maintained the airport in an operable state, and have continued with refresher training and support for personnel at the airport, in the hope that a quick ramp up might be possible in the future.
Further reports on the impact of the Russian invasion on Ukraine aviation sector and airports can be read here.
