"We all understand the reality Ukraine is living in today. Russia continues its large-scale attacks, and the security situation does not allow civil aviation to resume operations. That is why reopening the country's airspace is not currently under consideration. What we are discussing is responsible planning for the future, and this strategy is part of that planning," Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba said.
According to Kuleba, the approved strategy is part of Ukraine's European integration commitments and the effort to align the country's transport system with European Union standards. It is also consistent with Ukraine's National Transport Strategy and the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization.
The strategy's priorities include modernizing airports and air navigation infrastructure, integrating Ukraine into the European aviation area, developing multimodal transport links and implementing modern aviation safety standards.
Kuleba said the global civil aviation system is undergoing fundamental changes because of new security challenges. The newly established coordination center will be responsible for developing a new security architecture for civil aviation and airport operations to prepare for the eventual reopening of Ukraine's airspace.
The coordination center will facilitate cooperation among government agencies, the security and defense sector, the aviation industry and other stakeholders.
The deputy prime minister stressed that safety remains the overriding condition for resuming flights and will be the sole factor determining when Ukraine's civil aviation sector can reopen.
"Our task today is to prepare all the necessary decisions," he said.
In November 2024, Kuleba said Ukraine's aviation sector was 95% ready to resume flights, but emphasized that ensuring passenger safety remained the decisive factor.
According to him, once a decision is made, it would take about 45 to 50 days to launch flights from Lviv or Boryspil airports.
In May 2025, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said British experts were ready to help restore air traffic with Ukraine as soon as a ceasefire was reached.
In March 2026, Ukraine's Cabinet of Ministers established a working group to prepare for the reopening of the country's airports.