Kyiv-Boryspil Airport Set for Reopening
At Routes Europe 2025 in Seville, Ukraine’s flagship airport, Kyiv-Boryspil, showcased its readiness to resume full operations as soon as it is safe, despite lingering uncertainties. Sergiy Khyzhnyak, the airport’s director of commercial and strategy, detailed the challenges and opportunities facing the facility, which has been in a state of high alert during a prolonged period of airspace closure due to conflict. Khyzhnyak emphasized that while the process of restarting operations after three years of closure—and two years of pandemic-related disruptions—will require extensive work, the airport has been kept meticulously prepared to seize the moment when conditions improve.
“There is a significant challenge due to uncertainty. We did not know how long we had to prepare our resilience plan. What was designed to last a couple of weeks has now transformed into a long-term resilience strategy,” he explained. One of the most pressing issues he highlighted is the inability to secure insurance for routine ground handling operations because of ongoing war risks, adding another layer of complexity to the reopening process. Despite these hurdles, the airport is determined to be fully operational within a one-month notice period for scheduled flights, as internal deadlines drive preparations.
Maintaining operational readiness has been a key focus. Even as passenger numbers remain at zero, airport staff have been retained on reduced salaries, and essential qualifications have been maintained. Approximately one-fifth of the team is rotated into the airport at any given time, ensuring that when flights resume, the workforce is primed to support operations. This preparedness has not gone unnoticed by airline partners. Latvian carrier airBaltic, for example, has expressed strong interest in being one of the first airlines to return to Ukraine. airBaltic’s VP of network development, Mantas Vrubliauskas, shared his observations from recent visits, noting that the airport looks pristine with no physical signs of damage—even the runway is in excellent condition—though he lamented the absence of passengers. He added that life in downtown Kyiv appears normal, with bustling cafes and active public transportation, hinting at the latent demand that could potentially double or triple once the war concludes.
Vrubliauskas confirmed that airBaltic is planning to resume links between Kyiv, Lviv, and other Baltic countries as part of a broader strategy that includes multiple routes. “We have a plan for Day One and for what follows in the coming months,” he said, emphasizing that the carrier’s approach will ensure a balanced mix of airlines, rather than turning Kyiv-Boryspil into a low-cost hub.
The strategic vision for the airport extends beyond immediate reopening. Ukrainian officials aim to leverage the global news exposure of Kyiv during this turbulent period to attract new leisure visitors and boost both inbound and outbound passenger as well as cargo flows. The long-term goal is to restore and further develop a robust international network that reflects Ukraine’s potential as a key gateway in the region.
As the aviation community closely watches the situation, Kyiv-Boryspil Airport remains a symbol of resilience and readiness. With meticulous planning, dedicated staff, and supportive airline partners, the airport is poised to reopen and serve as a critical node in reestablishing connectivity for Ukraine and the broader region when peace and stability return.
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