In and end to war scenario, the first airport in Ukraine may resume operations this spring. Discussions are ongoing about the air connectivity at Lviv, and at the same time, the government is considering another one.
This was stated by the general director of the Lviv International Airport named after Danylo Halytskyi, Tetiana Romanovska, reports with reference to the "High Castle".
In the event that there is a positive result in ending the war, Lviv International Airport may be opened in Lviv for air flights. Other likely dates for the opening of the sky are summer.
According to Romanovska, 5-7 airlines are ready to operate in Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO), namely within a month after the launch of the terminal operations.
Also, the Ukrainian government is considering the opening of another airport in the west of Ukraine - Uzhgorod, located directly on the border with Slovakia and in close proximity to the borders of Hungary and Poland, all of which are NATO member countries..
April - May are among the likely dates. However, Romanovska emphasised that even if the decision to open is made later, the airport in Lviv can fully resume flights by the holiday season.
Many tour operators are already ready to quickly reorient passenger flows from European and Polish hubs back to Lviv, as it is more convenient and often cheaper.
"Wizzair, Air Baltic, Turkish Airlines, Sky Up, Austrian Airlines, Lufthansa, LOT are ready to fly from Lviv. Now we are talking about the resumption of regular flights from Lviv. Charter flights are likely to be returned by Sky Up Airlines. They have a good route network in Europe. The same routes are ready to be operated from Lviv. Or from another Ukrainian city. This year, representatives of the airline came to us with communication and conducted their audits. Representatives of Wizzair conducted their audit last year. They conduct a preliminary analysis and when there is a decision to open the sky, they come to work with us within three to four days," she said.
Last month, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said:
"We want to be the first airline back in Ukraine, and we have a plan to launch about 25 routes to and from Kyiv and Lviv within six weeks of the skies reopening."
It's being noted that travel companies and tour operators sell tours to Ukrainians for the summer season from airports in Poland and the EU. However, if the airport in Lviv is opened, then tour operators will quickly reorient. In particular, it will be more convenient and much cheaper than from the EU.
"We would like the opening of the airport to take place in the summer, because we understand that the main aviation traffic falls on vacations, summer and when the day is long. If this happens in April or May, then it will be very good for us," the general director of the Lviv airport summed up.
However, these statements are not welcome by everybody, Former Deputy Minister of Defense Anna Maliar criticized Tatyana Romanovskaya for such statements.
"It is extremely dangerous to make such information public during the hot phase of the war. Especially when we have a shortage of air defense. The war is still in full swing, and the enemy is destroying our infrastructure with missiles every day," the former official noted.
The military command has not yet officially commented on the words of the general director of the Lviv airport. Moreover, such statements are not the first in Ukraine. Let us recall that even the government is considering opening an airport in western Ukraine (we are talking about Uzhgorod).
As reported by OBOZ.UA, AirBaltic is ready to become the first European airline to resume flights to Ukraine after the security situation stabilizes. Their main concern is for the security guarantees for passengers and personnel, which are currently being worked out by the Ukrainian authorities.
Boryspil International Airport is also holding relevant negotiations on the possible rapid launch of flights after the opening of the airspace .
Display Picture Courtesy: AirportSpotting
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