Ukraine is “95%” ready to resume commercial flights, but the remaining key factor is ensuring the safety of passengers, Minister of Community and Territorial Development Oleksii Kuleba said on November 21.

Speaking to the Suspilne channel, the the minister said: “The security architecture requires very serious air defenses… so when we have enough air defense for this or that airport, we can talk about it. Unfortunately, today it is not practical.”

Ukraine closed its skies to civil aviation at the start of martial law and full-scale invasion in 2022, but some recent statements suggest the country could restart commercial flights as soon as next year.

When asked if it was possible to hope for the opening of air traffic in 2025, Kuleba replied that it would depend on the situation on the front.

“Of course we can hope. But if we are realistic, in principle we can only talk about it in relation to the front-line situation. As with all other issues concerning the development of our country: first the front, then something else,” Kuleba said.

Crispin Ellison, senior partner at insurance and risk management firm Marsh McLennan, said on November 7 that at least one of Ukraine’s airports, either in Lviv or Boryspil, near kyiv, could resume operations. by the end of January 2025.

“The opening of Lviv is the beginning of a journey towards the opening of Boryspil,” Ellison told a kyiv Independent reporter at the kyiv International Economic Forum.

“What we need is confirmation on the (air) defense and military situation that allows for regulatory approval,” Ellison added. According to Ellison, under favorable circumstances, five or six airlines could agree to operate flights from Ukraine in January.

Lviv is located in the western part of the country. Although he suffered a number of deadly attacks during the large-scale war, it was targeted considerably less often than other major cities like kyiv, Kharkiv or Odessa.

Ukrinform reported that insurance companies are ready for political decisions on the resumption of air traffic with Ukraine.

At the end of October, Ukraine presented a road map for the partial reopening of its airspace under martial law, outlining a step-by-step plan and requirements.

International airlines, including LOT Polish Airlines, SkyUp Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Wizz Air and others, also participated in discussions on opening airspace in Ukraine during martial law.

Ukraine presents roadmap for partial opening of airspace during war

At a conference in Warsaw, Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development Serhii Derkach presented a step-by-step plan for a partial reopening of Ukrainian airspace.