EUROPE CARGO F AIR CARG O WEEK


MAINTAINING OPERATIONAL READINESS AMID AIRSPACE CLOSURE


BY Anastasiya SIMSEK


12


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“Our task is to keep Ukraine’s main aviation gateway in full operational readiness.”


ACW 06 APRIL 2026


ince 24 February 2022, Ukraine’s largest international airport has remained closed to civilian flights. But Boryspil Airport has not stopped operating. Instead, it has shifted its focus from expansion to resilience, maintaining its infrastructure, workforce , and technical systems in anticipation of eventual reactivation.


“Our mission changed. We moved from growth to preservation,” the airport’s


press office said. “Our task is to keep Ukraine’s main aviation gateway in full operational readiness.” Despite the ongoing war and closed skies, Boryspil’s runways, terminals,


energy and water systems, IT infrastructure, and equipment across more than 1,000 hectares remain fully maintained. “We run a comprehensive infrastructure preservation programme,” the


airport said. “Risk assessment and safety planning are continuous and coordinated with international partners. All certifications remain valid, enabling immediate restart once the airspace reopens.” Key facilities are kept operational, and critical staff continue training. Over


2,400 aviation professionals renewed their qualifications in 2025 through the ICAO Aviation Security Training Centre and the Ground Handling Training Centre at Boryspil. “People are our most valuable asset,” the airport added. “There have been


no staff reductions. Retaining qualified teams is essential to restarting operations quickly and safely.” Before the war, Boryspil handled around 85 percent of Ukraine’s air cargo


traffic. While current volumes have shifted to land routes, demand remains, particularly in the central region. The airport is actively developing road feeder service (RFS) models to enable reintegration into international airfreight networks as soon as conditions allow. “There is ongoing cargo demand. We remain in contact with key partners and


www.aircargoweek.com


see potential for Boryspil to again become Ukraine’s primary cargo gateway.” Boryspil remains in regular contact with Ukrainian and international airlines.


Discussions are ongoing with Ryanair, Wizz Air, Lufthansa Group, LOT, KLM-Air France, EL AL, airBaltic, and others — all of whom have expressed intent to return once civilian flights resume. “We


see strong post-war market potential: returning refugees,


reconstruction, inbound tourism, and Ukraine’s EU integration.” The decision to reopen operations will ultimately depend on Ukraine’s civil


aviation authority and an acceptable level of risk. A detailed short-term restart plan has been finalised, covering staffing, safety certification,


infrastructure, airline coordination, and regulatory


compliance. Simultaneously, Boryspil has developed a long-term strategy through 2045, including: - Reconstruction and expansion of Terminal D - Construction of a new cargo terminal - SAF-ready fuel infrastructure - Solar energy systems and energy independence - Biometric border control - Multimodal ground transport access - Enhanced security and counter-UAS protection


Boryspil’s leadership is clear that airports should not be viewed solely as transport hubs, but as part of a nation’s critical infrastructure. “Aviation is not just transport. It’s a strategic asset. The Ukrainian experience shows that resilience means more than compliance — it means maintaining readiness under extreme conditions.” “The question is not if aviation will return — but when, and under what safety conditions. When that moment comes, we will be ready without delay.”


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