When Will It Be Possible to Fly to Kyiv Again: What Budget Airlines Are Planning for Ukraine’s Reopening

Ukraine’s skies have been off-limits to passenger flights since early 2022. This is not due to lack of travel demand but because of serious safety risks. Airlines like Wizz Air and Ryanair have expressed strong interest in returning when conditions allow, yet any reopening depends entirely on aviation safety authorities declaring the skies secure. As of December 2025, Ukraine’s airspace remains officially closed to civilian flights, and timelines for reopening are uncertain.

In this article, we’ll break down why Ukraine’s airspace is closed, what conditions must be met before flights can return, and what officials have (and haven’t) said about possible timelines. We’ll also look at what budget airlines are planning, how quickly they could ramp up operations once they get the green light, and what the early stages of reopening might look like. Finally, we’ll cover practical advice for travelers: what you should (and shouldn’t) do now, and answers to common questions about flying to Ukraine again.

Important: Everything discussed here is conditional on safety approvals. Aviation regulators (not airlines) will decide when and how Ukraine’s skies can reopen. No airline marketing promise can override the rulings of safety authorities. Until official notice is given, travelers should assume Ukraine’s airspace remains closed for commercial flights. This guide lays out what is known as of late 2025 and what remains unknown, so you can stay informed about the prospects of flying to Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities once it’s truly safe.

Why Ukraine’s airspace is closed

Ukraine’s airspace is closed to commercial flights because it has become an active conflict zone with extreme safety hazards. On February 24, 2022 – the day Russia launched its full-scale invasion – Ukrainian authorities suspended all civil flight operations in the country’s airspace due to the high risk from military activity. A Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) was issued in the early hours of that day, closing all flight information regions over Ukraine to civilian aircraft. In essence, Ukraine declared its skies off-limits to passenger and cargo flights because of immediate danger from warfare.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and other international regulators reinforced this closure with their own warnings. EASA’s conflict zone bulletin on February 24, 2022 alerted airlines that Ukraine was an active conflict zone and that there was a risk of “both intentional targeting and misidentification of civil aircraft” in the region.

In war, anti-aircraft missiles and other weapons could either deliberately strike a plane or mistakenly identify a passenger jet as a military target. Tragically, this risk was not hypothetical – the 2014 downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine stands as a stark reminder of what can happen when civilian planes fly through a combat zone.

Beyond the threat of missiles, the conflict poses numerous aviation safety hazards. Combat operations can disrupt or degrade navigation aids and radar coverage. Jamming of GPS and other satellite signals has been reported in regions near the fighting, which can interfere with aircraft navigation. Military forces may use electronic warfare that creates GPS spoofing or signal loss, making it unreliable for planes to navigate.

Air traffic control infrastructure in Ukraine has also been impacted – radar installations and communication systems may be shut down or even damaged due to the war. Furthermore, many airports have suffered physical damage from missile strikes and bombing. In the initial hours of the invasion, Russian attacks targeted airports and aviation facilities in Ukraine.

Runways, fuel depots, and terminals at several airports (especially in the east and south) were hit, rendering them unusable or unsafe. With such severe risks to aircraft and infrastructure, it is standard procedure in international aviation to prohibit civil flights in the area.

In plain terms for travelers: the sky over Ukraine is closed because it’s a war zone. The danger is not just at the airports but at all altitudes, across the entire country. Missiles and drones are being launched, air-defense systems are active, and electronic interference is common – all of which make it impossible to guarantee the safety of a passenger flight.

Ukraine’s government, in coordination with European authorities, made the responsible decision to keep civilian aircraft out of harm’s way. As of the end of 2025, that situation remains unchanged – no commercial airline is allowed to fly into Ukrainian airspace because the risk is far above acceptable safety levels.

What must happen before flights can return

Before any passenger flights can resume to Kyiv or other Ukrainian cities, multiple conditions must be met to ensure it is genuinely safe. The foremost requirement is an end to active hostilities and a significant improvement in the security situation. Ukraine’s air navigation service (UkSATSE) has stated unequivocally that airspace will only reopen after the war ends.

In other words, a political ceasefire or peace agreement must translate into a stable cessation of violence on the ground – and in the air – before the skies can be declared safe. A mere diplomatic announcement is not enough; there must be confidence that missiles are no longer flying and that Ukraine’s sovereign airspace is no longer under attack.

Even once the war is over (or at least a firm ceasefire in place), aviation regulators must formally assess and clear the airspace. Ukraine’s State Aviation Service, in coordination with EASA and ICAO (the International Civil Aviation Organization), will need to evaluate the risk and determine that flying can resume without undue danger.

This involves technical risk assessments: ensuring that potential threats like unexploded ordnance, anti-aircraft weapons, or electronic jamming are mitigated. As EASA explains in its conflict zone bulletin, the airspace can only be used if the safety risks from military activities are reduced to an acceptable level. There is no shortcut for this – aviation safety approval is the gatekeeper.

A country’s airspace does not automatically reopen when a war ends; it reopens when the country’s aviation authority, in consultation with international bodies, declares it safe and lifts the flight restrictions.

Ukrainian officials have been working on a roadmap for reopening, but they stress that it’s condition-based, not date-based. In late 2024, Ukraine’s State Aviation Service said they were considering a phased, limited opening of certain airspace if (and only if) “risks are assessed and reduced to an acceptable level, and additional security measures are implemented”.

They provided no specific timeframe for this – understandably, since it depends on how the war evolves. What this means is that even a partial reopening would require things like guaranteed air defense coverage for flight corridors, robust coordination between civil and military air traffic control, and perhaps international peacekeeping or monitoring to ensure the skies stay safe. It’s a complex civil-military puzzle that must be solved before passenger planes can be allowed back in.

Significantly, European authorities will also have a say. EASA has continuously extended its Conflict Zone Information Bulletin advising airlines to avoid Ukraine’s airspace. As of July 2025, EASA extended the validity of that bulletin until at least 31 January 2026 – signaling that they do not anticipate conditions to be safe before that date. Eurocontrol (Europe’s air navigation network manager) similarly forecast in 2023 that airspace restrictions over Ukraine could remain in place until 2029 in one scenario.

These are not firm dates, but they underscore that authorities are planning for a long-term closure unless the security situation improves dramatically. From a traveler’s perspective, it means no one should assume a quick reopening – even after fighting stops, the aviation world might take weeks, months or longer to certify Ukrainian skies as safe.

Besides achieving peace and passing safety risk assessments, practical preparations on the ground are needed. Airports and critical infrastructure will require inspection and possibly repairs or de-mining. Runways must be checked for damage (and some may need to be rebuilt if they were cratered by bombs). Navigational aids and radar systems might need to be recalibrated or replaced if they were shut down or harmed during the conflict.

Airport security protocols will likely need an overhaul – for instance, ensuring that stray drones or munitions can’t threaten planes. The Ukrainian Air Force and civil aviation authorities will have to coordinate to make sure any military airspace restrictions or no-fly zones are resolved. Essentially, the entire aviation ecosystem – from air traffic controllers to ground handlers – has to be ready to restart safely.

Ukraine has been working behind the scenes on these issues: UkSATSE and Eurocontrol have a recovery task force planning how to restore services when the time comes. They have even begun retraining Ukrainian air traffic controllers and technicians to ensure they stay current and certified, so that when hostilities cease, the personnel will be ready.

It’s also worth noting that insurance and regulatory frameworks must align before flights return. War-risk insurance for airlines operating in Ukraine will need to be obtainable; currently, no commercial insurer would cover an airliner in an active warzone. There are talks of setting up a special international insurance mechanism or guarantee fund to cover flights once authorities give a nod.

Likewise, organizations like ICAO will likely issue guidance or audits for Ukraine’s airports and air navigation services to ensure they meet international safety standards post-conflict. None of these steps are instantaneous – they require careful implementation.

The takeaway is that reopening the airspace is a process, not a flip of a switch. Only after the war truly stops, the hazards are neutralized, and aviation authorities formally declare the airspace safe will commercial flights be permitted to return. Until all those conditions are met, Ukraine will remain a no-fly zone for passenger airlines.

What airlines have said about returning to Ukraine

Despite the ongoing war, airlines – especially low-cost carriers – have been vocal about their eagerness to resume flights to Ukraine as soon as it’s safe. Wizz Air and Ryanair, two major budget airlines in Europe, had a significant presence in the Ukrainian market before the 2022 invasion, and both have publicly outlined ambitious post-war plans (always with the caveat “once it’s safe”).

It’s important to stress that these are contingency plans – airlines are preparing so they can move quickly when allowed, but they cannot act until regulators lift the restrictions.

Wizz Air, a Hungary-based budget carrier, was one of the largest international airlines in Ukraine pre-war. The airline’s CEO József Váradi has said Wizz Air has a detailed strategy for re-entering Ukraine immediately after peace returns. According to Váradi, Wizz Air intends to base 15 aircraft in Ukraine within two years of a peace agreement, eventually expanding to 50 aircraft in seven years. In other words, Wizz Air is planning a major expansion – far beyond its pre-war operations – once conditions allow.

Váradi has called the potential reopening a “significant opportunity,” noting that he expects a surge in travel demand, including even some “catastrophe tourism” where people might visit to see historical war sites as they did after the Berlin Wall fell. More concretely, Wizz Air has about 30 routes it wants to reinstate in the immediate aftermath of a ceasefire, focusing on routes into Kyiv and Lviv. Váradi told Reuters that once a ceasefire is announced, Wizz Air would look to restart operations “shortly after,” reinstating roughly 30 inbound routes within six weeks.

The airline has also said that within six months of the conflict’s end, it would reopen bases in Kyiv and Lviv, targeting about 5 million annual seats across 60 routes. All of these plans are explicitly conditional – Wizz Air is essentially on standby, so that when aviation authorities give a green light, they can mobilize quickly. (It’s worth noting Wizz Air still has aircraft that were trapped in Ukraine when the war started, underscoring their commitment to return when possible.)

Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost airline, is equally – if not more – bullish on returning to Ukraine. Before the war, Ryanair served three major Ukrainian cities (Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa) and was flying about 1.5 million passengers a year to/from Ukraine. Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s outspoken CEO, has repeatedly stated that Ryanair will be back in Ukraine the moment it’s safe. He even personally visited Kyiv in 2024 to meet with officials and discuss a recovery plan.

Ryanair’s plan, as O’Leary and other executives have described, is to open roughly 24 routes to Kyiv and Lviv almost immediately after a ceasefire. O’Leary was quoted saying Ryanair is developing a plan to start flights within 4-6 weeks once the war ends. Ryanair’s Eddie Wilson (CEO of Ryanair DAC) suggested the airline could even put flights on sale within two weeks of airspace reopening.

The airline aims to carry 4 million passengers annually in Ukraine in the first phase, which would be nearly triple its pre-war volume. O’Leary has boasted that Ryanair’s extensive network allows it to deploy planes rapidly: “Ryanair is the only airline that will go in there on day one from about 26 or 30 European cities,” he said, indicating they plan to connect Ukraine with numerous EU destinations as soon as possible.

Both Wizz Air and Ryanair have made it clear that safety is the gating factor, not willingness. O’Leary emphasized that an official cessation of fighting (a ceasefire) is required to meet EASA’s requirements – “EASA won’t allow anything to fly over there unless they have reasonable certainty there won’t be missiles flying”.

Similarly, Wizz Air’s CEO noted that EASA estimates it would take 6–8 weeks after hostilities halt to safely reopen the airspace, and Wizz is preparing on that assumption. In other words, the airlines are not acting recklessly; they know they must wait for authorities to deem it safe. But once that happens, they intend to move very fast to resume service.

Aside from the big two low-cost carriers, other airlines have also signaled interest:

• easyJet, a UK-based budget airline that previously didn’t fly to Ukraine, is now considering entering the Ukrainian market after the war. EasyJet’s CEO Johan Lundgren (and incoming CEO Kenton Jarvis) described Ukraine as potentially “Europe’s largest construction project” post-war and noted that many people will want to return home when it’s safe. EasyJet has not announced specific routes yet, but they are monitoring the situation and could launch flights (for example, London–Kyiv) once conditions permit. The airline indicated it likely would not base aircraft in Ukraine right away but could serve Kyiv from its existing bases in Europe.

• LOT Polish Airlines (Poland’s national carrier) and Turkish Airlines were mentioned as participants in discussions on reopening Ukraine’s airspace. These airlines already connect to many post-Soviet destinations and would be keen to restore Ukraine routes. LOT in particular was a lifeline to Ukraine (via Warsaw) for years, and as a neighboring country’s carrier, it may be among the first full-service airlines to relaunch flights when possible. While they haven’t given detailed public plans, their involvement in planning sessions indicates strong interest.

• Ukrainian carriers like Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) and SkyUp are, of course, eager to resume as well. UIA, the former flag carrier, had to halt operations due to the war (and unfortunately went through bankruptcy proceedings). SkyUp (a private Ukrainian low-cost airline) has been operating charter flights abroad while Ukraine’s airspace is closed. Both have been part of government-led talks about how to restart aviation. The Ukrainian government’s strategy is to preserve its aviation infrastructure and qualified personnel through the war so that domestic airlines can restart quickly too. So we can expect Ukrainian airlines to mount some flights of their own or in partnership, once allowed – though initially, the bulk of flights may come from international carriers with readily available fleets.

Airlines are effectively saying: “Tell us when it’s safe, and we’ll be there.” Wizz Air wants to be first out of the gate with bases in Kyiv and Lviv, and Ryanair insists it will be “front and centre” of Ukraine’s air travel revival. easyJet and others are eyeing opportunities too. This enthusiasm is a positive sign for Ukraine’s connectivity – but again, none of it can materialize until the safety regulators give a definitive all-clear.

The airlines consistently couch their statements with “once it’s safe” or “after the war ends”. So while travelers can take heart that carriers are preparing routes and even aircraft allocations, we must all temper expectations because the timing is out of the airlines’ hands.

How quickly flights might resume

If a peace deal or ceasefire were reached and aviation authorities announced that Ukrainian airspace will reopen, how fast could commercial flights actually return? Based on what airline executives and experts have said, the initial restart could happen within a matter of weeks – though not overnight. There would likely be a brief but intense ramp-up period as regulators, airports, and airlines coordinate the first flights.

EASA officials have indicated that even after fighting stops, it would take roughly 6 to 8 weeks to thoroughly evaluate the safety and reactivate Ukraine’s airspace for civil use. This includes time to verify no active threats remain and to implement any special safety measures (like flight corridor restrictions or military coordination).

Wizz Air’s CEO essentially built this timeline into his plan, saying he expects to restart routes about 6 weeks after a ceasefire announcement. Similarly, Ryanair’s O’Leary has spoken of 4–6 weeks as a plausible interval from war’s end to having flights in the air. These estimates suggest that authorities won’t flip the switch immediately – they’ll likely watch for a stable ceasefire and use a few weeks to organize the reopening.

From the airlines’ side, they intend to act as fast as possible once the green light is given. Ryanair’s Eddie Wilson was quoted saying the airline could have flights on sale within two weeks of the airspace reopening. In practice, that implies that as soon as regulators publicly target a date for reopening, Ryanair would start selling tickets for shortly thereafter.

Ryanair also said it could serve routes from two dozen cities right away, scaling up to millions of passengers within the first year. Wizz Air likewise has dozens of routes ready to roll out and would aim to reinstate about 30 initial routes in the first month or two. Both have spare aircraft capacity they can deploy (Wizz Air in particular expects to take delivery of many new planes in 2025-26, some of which could be assigned to Ukraine routes ).

However, “quickly” does not mean instant full capacity. The initial resumption would likely be gradual and managed. Experts envision a phased approach – perhaps opening one or two key airports first (under tightly controlled conditions) and gradually expanding. Eurocontrol has been planning a “stepped recovery approach” where flights to/from Ukraine resume in stages, and even overflights (international flights crossing Ukrainian airspace) are phased in later.

In a best-case scenario, within a few weeks of approval you might see a handful of flights a day to Kyiv or Lviv as a start. These could be special flights carrying airline personnel, aid, or government officials initially, followed by limited commercial schedules. As confidence builds and any kinks are worked out, more airlines and routes would come online.

Notably, Ukraine’s main international airport in Kyiv (Boryspil) believes it can gear up fairly fast. The airport’s commercial director said operations could resume within one month of being declared safe to do so. That suggests the airports have been doing maintenance drills and keeping equipment ready to spring back into action. (Indeed, O’Leary mentioned that Kyiv and Lviv airports were “ready to go” – even details like baggage carousels were being checked weekly to ensure functionality.) So the ground infrastructure can be ramped up in weeks, not months, once the decision is made.

Initial flights are likely to be limited in frequency and destination. Airlines will prioritize routes that are most needed and viable. We can expect routes from major European hubs to Kyiv and Lviv first. For example, Ryanair might start with flights from London, Warsaw, Vienna, etc. to Kyiv and Lviv a few times weekly.

Wizz Air will likely restart its pre-war routes from cities like Budapest, Warsaw, London, etc. into Western Ukraine and Kyiv. Over the first few months, as long as stability holds, frequencies would increase and more cities (like Odesa, depending on airport condition) might come back online.

One constraint could be insurance and aircraft availability in the immediate term. If there’s any residual risk, some airlines or aircraft lessors might be cautious. But given the public statements, both Wizz and Ryanair appear willing to deploy aircraft on short notice.

They may rely on special war-risk insurance pools (potentially with government backing) to cover that initial period. Ukraine’s government and partners are actively working on such insurance solutions so that airlines won’t be deterred by high premiums when it’s time to resume flights.

Travelers should not expect hundreds of flights immediately. Instead, expect a small number of flights resuming maybe a month or so after a ceasefire, followed by a ramp-up where each week brings more options. An optimistic projection from airline CEOs is that within 6 months of peace, Ukraine could already have a substantial portion of its pre-war air traffic back.

That will depend on how smoothly the initial reopening goes and whether demand matches the optimism (we explore demand in the next section). The key is that everyone – regulators, airports, airlines – will move carefully but expediently once conditions permit. They know there’s pent-up demand, but they also know the first priority is ensuring each step is safe. So, while nothing is set in stone, the consensus is: flights would resume within weeks, then scale up in the ensuing months as part of a controlled recovery.

What reopening could look like in practice

When Ukraine’s skies do reopen, the return of air travel will likely be gradual and geographically phased. Not all airports and routes will come back at once. Early service will concentrate on the safest regions and most critical routes, with extra safety precautions in place.

Which airports are likely to reopen first? Current indications suggest that Western Ukraine will lead the way. The Lviv region, bordering Poland, is often cited as the prime candidate for the first reopened airport. Lviv’s distance from the front lines has meant it’s been struck far less frequently than cities like Kyiv or Odesa (though it hasn’t been completely spared from missile/drone attacks).

A senior partner at an aviation insurance broker noted that Lviv International Airport could potentially reopen even during wartime under a tightly controlled scenario, given its relative safety, and certainly would be first in line post-war. The airport has modern facilities (two terminals, sizeable capacity) and before the war it handled a growing number of international flights.

If only one airport were to open initially, Lviv (LWO) would be the logical choice – it’s close to EU territory, making it easier to establish secure flight corridors from neighboring Poland or Slovakia.

Kyiv’s Boryspil Airport (KBP) – the country’s main international gateway – is the other top priority, but it may depend on the security environment in the capital region. The Ukrainian government is very keen to reopen Boryspil as soon as possible, given its importance.

However, experts like Marsh’s Crispin Ellison have suggested the aviation market might wait until a “much lower-risk scenario” is achieved to fully reopen Kyiv. Kyiv has been subject to periodic long-range missile attacks throughout the war, so even after a ceasefire, there may be lingering caution about resuming flights there until confidence is high.

It’s conceivable that Kyiv could reopen around the same time as Lviv if the war truly ends and the threat recedes. In fact, as noted earlier, Kyiv’s airport management says they could be up and running within one month of a safety go-ahead. O’Leary from Ryanair indicated “Kyiv and Lviv are ready to go” from an infrastructure standpoint. So we might see both airports come back early, but with Kyiv possibly under tighter operational constraints (such as limited hours or defensive measures in place).

Other Ukrainian airports will follow later. Odesa (ODS) in the south, for instance, suffered damage to its runway during the conflict and is nearer areas of past fighting. O’Leary mentioned that resuming flights to Odesa “might take longer due to the level of damage” at its airport. Odesa’s proximity to the Black Sea warzone might also make insurers and regulators cautious initially.

Kharkiv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and any airports in eastern/southern Ukraine that were heavily fought over will almost certainly not reopen in the first wave – many have been severely damaged or are in areas that need extensive de-mining and rebuilding. Some, like the airport in Kherson, were “bombed and destroyed to the ground” during occupation and battles , so they will require major reconstruction.

Uzhhorod Airport (in far-western Ukraine near Slovakia) has been rumored as another candidate for early reopening (it’s a tiny airport but uniquely located right at the EU border) , though it would likely see only limited use or special flights due to its short runway and terrain constraints.

In the initial phase of reopening, expect controlled flight corridors and stringent security. Flights will likely be routed along specific paths that have been deemed low-risk – for example, entering Ukrainian airspace from the west at certain altitudes under strict coordination. Military and civil aviation authorities will likely work jointly (perhaps even staffing a combined control center) to monitor every flight.

If any airspace corridor redesign is needed (for instance, to avoid eastern regions or to stay within range of anti-missile defenses), that will be put in place. There may also be restrictions like daytime-only operations at first, so that flights are easier to track and protect, and possibly limits on the number of flights per hour until everyone gains confidence in the procedures.

Insurance will play a big role in shaping operations. Even after regulators say “okay, you can fly,” insurers must agree to cover those flights. It’s expected that the Ukrainian government, with international partners, will set up an insurance backstop program to facilitate the first flights. This could mirror the arrangement used for grain ships in the Black Sea, where a special fund or guarantee covers war-related risks.

With such a facility, airlines can operate without pricing tickets exorbitantly high due to insurance costs. However, if insurance premiums remain very high, that could limit which airlines come first or how many flights they run. Large carriers like Ryanair and Wizz Air seem prepared to bear some extra cost to re-enter the market, but they will also push for solutions (as O’Leary did by urging Ukrainian airports to offer discounts to offset costs).

On the demand side, the early stages of reopening will likely see surges in certain traveler segments. One key group is the Ukrainian diaspora and refugees eager to visit or return home. Millions of Ukrainians have been displaced across Europe; when flights resume, many will seize the opportunity for faster travel back to Ukraine to reunite with family or handle personal affairs.

O’Leary predicted “enormous traffic flows even in the very early days from reuniting friends and family”. Alongside that is travel related to reconstruction and business – expect a wave of engineers, aid workers, investors, and NGO personnel flying in to help rebuild the country. This “inbound investment” travel will be significant, as companies and governments start post-war projects.

There is also the possibility of curiosity and heritage tourism returning in stages. While general leisure tourism will take time to recover, some travelers might come to Ukraine to witness historic events sites when it’s safe – what Váradi dubbed “catastrophe tourism”.

For example, people may visit Kyiv or other cities to see how they’re rebuilding, or diaspora travelers might bring foreign friends to show them their homeland’s resilience. Over time, as normalcy returns, traditional tourism (Ukraine’s beautiful Carpathian mountains, Black Sea coast, cultural sites in Lviv, etc.) will pick up again. But in the initial months, flights will be dominated by necessity travel (family, business, government) rather than casual tourists.

Operationally, travelers should expect some lingering precautions. Even after reopening, airlines might have to follow special protocols, like modified flight routes (perhaps avoiding flying too far east), contingency fuel in case of reroutes, and constant monitoring of intelligence updates.

Airports might have visibly heightened security – for instance, more rigorous screening, checks for drones in the vicinity, and possibly some military presence to secure the perimeter. There could also be temporary restrictions like not allowing planes to park overnight initially, or requiring quick turnarounds, to minimize time on the ground. Passengers might be advised to arrive extra early, as systems adapt after such a long closure.

In terms of routes and capacity, early reopening might feature hub-and-spoke connections. For example, rather than dozens of point-to-point flights from all over Europe right away, airlines might funnel traffic via major hubs. Polish cities (Warsaw, Rzeszów) could act as staging posts; however, Ryanair and Wizz seem intent on direct connections from many cities to Ukraine without requiring transfers. Still, the frequency of flights on each route might initially be low (maybe 2–3 flights per week on a given city-pair) until demand justifies more.

Ticket pricing in the early stage is hard to predict. On one hand, high demand and constrained supply could push fares up – those first flights will be coveted and could sell out quickly. On the other hand, the low-cost carriers may choose to stimulate the market with their typical low fares (or even special discounts) to show solidarity and encourage travel.

Michael O’Leary has actually pressured Ukrainian airports to lower their fees aggressively so that airlines can keep tickets affordable and drive rapid traffic recovery. He warned that if airports insist on pre-war fee levels without discounts, airlines might scale back their plans (meaning fewer flights and higher fares due to higher costs).

If airport charges are reduced and insurance is handled, we might see surprisingly reasonable fares – perhaps similar to pre-war levels for similar distances. However, if operating costs remain high, initial ticket prices might include a “risk premium.” Travelers should be prepared for some volatility in pricing and limited promotional deals until the market stabilizes.

The practical picture of reopening will likely be: Lviv and maybe Kyiv first, under careful controls; a few airlines (mostly low-cost carriers and perhaps LOT/Turkish) leading the charge; flights starting with moderate frequency and growing over time; and lots of eager travelers filling those planes for family reunions and reconstruction work.

The atmosphere may be emotional – those first flights will carry people who have waited years to come home or see loved ones. And every safe landing will build confidence. Over a period of months, assuming peace holds, Ukraine’s air connectivity would expand to more cities and airlines, moving from a trickle back toward a flood. Yet throughout, safety precautions will remain in place – the shadow of the recent conflict will likely keep everyone vigilant for some time. The journey to “normal” air travel in Ukraine will be incremental, but determined.

What travelers should do now

With the prospect of Ukraine’s airspace reopening still uncertain in timing, travelers – especially those with connections to Ukraine – should approach the situation with cautious patience and vigilance. Here are some practical steps and tips for what to do (and not do) right now:

• Stay informed through official channels. Keep an eye on updates from authoritative sources like EASA and Eurocontrol regarding Ukrainian airspace status. The European Aviation Safety Agency maintains the conflict zone bulletin on Ukraine (which, as of now, remains active into 2026). Any change in that status will be newsworthy and likely announced there first. Ukraine’s State Aviation Service and UkSATSE will also issue statements when a decision to reopen is made. Following the Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry or the State Aviation Administration’s official announcements is wise. In addition, major airlines will put out press releases the moment they are cleared to resume flights – so monitoring Wizz Air’s and Ryanair’s news feeds or social media can give you early notice of plans.

• Do not attempt to book flights to Ukraine until reopening is confirmed. As of December 2025, no commercial flights are operating to Ukraine, and reputable airlines are not selling tickets for near-term travel. If you come across any website or agency offering tickets to Kyiv or Lviv for next week or next month, be extremely skeptical – those are likely placeholder listings or scams. (Some flight search engines simply show “no available flights” if you search for Kyiv; others might show flights with very long durations that actually involve land transport.) Until an official reopening date is declared, avoid purchasing any flight itinerary that claims to go to Ukraine. If airlines do start selling for future dates, ensure you understand the refund policy. Only book if the airline explicitly allows full refunds or free rebooking in case the airspace doesn’t open as planned. In short, don’t plan a fixed trip yet – it’s too early.

• Be prepared for quick changes once an announcement comes. When authorities finally announce a reopening date, things might move fast. Airlines have said they could put tickets on sale within days of an announcement. If you’re intent on flying as soon as possible, you’ll need to move quickly – those initial flights could fill up rapidly given pent-up demand. However, also be mentally prepared for changes. Early operations could be volatile; if any security issues arise, flights might be rescheduled or canceled on short notice even after booking. Flexibility will be crucial. It might be wise to avoid non-refundable accommodations or tight non-changeable plans on the assumption of a particular flight, until the new flight schedules prove reliable.

• Expect limited options at first and plan accordingly. When flights restart, the first routes will be few. You might not find a direct flight from your city right away. For example, if you’re in North America or Asia, it could be some time before there are one-stop connections into Ukraine via the usual European hubs. You may have to fly to a city like Warsaw or Bucharest and then take a train or bus for a while longer. In fact, even after airspace reopens, overland routes may remain part of the journey for some time, especially to regions of Ukraine that aren’t served by the initial flights. So, stay open to multimodal travel (air to a neighboring country, then land into Ukraine) during the transition period.

• Continue to follow travel advisories. Government travel advisories (like those from the U.S. State Department, UK Foreign Office, EU country foreign ministries, etc.) still currently advise against travel to Ukraine due to the war. These advisories will likely lag behind actual ceasefires or initial flights. It’s important to heed their warnings about safety on the ground. Even if flights resume, parts of Ukraine might have infrastructure challenges, curfews, or other post-conflict issues. Travelers should ensure they have updated information on the cities they plan to visit. Also, check if travel insurance will cover trips to Ukraine – many insurers have exclusions for warzones, and they might only lift those once a formal peace is established and advisories improve.

• Don’t rely on speculative dates or rumors. There is a lot of chatter online about potential dates (“maybe flights will start by summer” etc.), but unless it’s coming from an official aviation authority, treat it as speculation. Even airlines’ optimistic statements (like hoping for 2024 or 2025) are not guarantees – they are aspirations contingent on safety. For instance, some brokers speculated Lviv airport could open in early 2025 if conditions allowed , but that is by no means certain. Until you hear a concrete announcement like “Airspace will open on X date per Ukraine government and EASA,” it’s best not to lock in any travel plans.

• For essential travel needs, use existing routes via third countries. If you absolutely must reach Ukraine now (e.g., for family or humanitarian reasons), the only safe way is to fly to a neighboring country (Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, or Moldova) and enter Ukraine by land. The Polish route is the most common: flights into Warsaw or Rzeszów, then a train or bus to Lviv/Kyiv. Understand that these journeys are long – e.g., a train from Poland to Kyiv takes ~10 hours and can be arduous. But for now, that is the reality. There are also commercial buses and car transfers operating. Always coordinate with local contacts and have a plan B, as the situation on ground borders can change (for example, sometimes border queues get long or certain crossings might close temporarily for security).

• Keep travel documents and plans updated. Whenever flights do become possible, you’ll need valid documents. Make sure your passport is up to date and you have any needed visas (for Ukraine or for the countries you transit). If you’re a Ukrainian citizen abroad hoping to return once flights resume, ensure your documents (passport, ID) are valid and you’re aware of any entry requirements or COVID-related rules that might still be in effect at that time (the pandemic disrupted travel rules and some could linger, though by 2025 most COVID restrictions have eased).

• Finally, exercise patience and caution. It cannot be overstated: safety comes first. As excited as everyone will be to see flights take off for Kyiv again, both travelers and airlines must defer to the judgments of safety experts. If authorities delay reopening or impose last-minute changes due to security intel, it’s for good reason. Travelers should not pressure airlines to fly sooner than recommended. Likewise, when booking becomes possible, opt for airlines that show flexibility and transparency about the situation. The early period of reopening will require cooperation and understanding from all parties – much like the early days of travel after COVID, there may be hiccups and new protocols to follow.

What you should do now is stay alert, but stay patient. Keep monitoring official updates, avoid premature bookings, and have your documents ready. If you need to travel to Ukraine in the interim, use the safe overland routes and allow plenty of time. Understand that the timeline depends on war and peace, which are fluid.

The Takeaway

In the end, the question of “when will it be possible to fly to Kyiv again?” hinges on events far bigger than the airline industry. Commercial flights will return only when Ukraine’s skies are genuinely safe and secure – a determination made by aviation authorities, not by airline timetables. As of December 2025, that condition is not yet met, and thus the airspace remains closed.

However, it’s clear that extensive groundwork is being laid for the eventual reopening. Airlines like Wizz Air and Ryanair are effectively on standby with aircraft and route plans, and international agencies have begun careful planning so that when peace comes, the aviation restart can be as swift and smooth as possible.

Travelers should remain both hopeful and realistic. The hopeful part is seeing how committed airlines are to resuming service and how much international support is poised to help Ukraine reconnect to the world. The first flights could take off just weeks after a green light, and Ukraine’s air network might rebuild faster than many expect – but only if the security conditions solidly permit it.

The realistic part is acknowledging that timelines are uncertain and not within the travel industry’s control. Predictions about specific dates are likely to be overtaken by the realities on the ground. Safety will always set the schedule.

For now, if you have ties to Ukraine, the prudent approach is to stay informed, be patient, and plan with contingencies. Air travel to Ukraine will resume – the demand and determination are there – but it will do so step by step, under careful watch. When the day finally arrives that a plane lands in Kyiv’s Boryspil Airport once again, it will mark a turning point for the country’s recovery.

Until then, we watch, wait, and wish for the conditions that will make that possible. Ukraine’s reopening to the skies will come, but it will come at the right and safe time – and not a moment sooner. In the meantime, travelers should keep their hopes up but their plans flexible, knowing that each day that brings peace closer also brings the return of flights to Kyiv that much closer to reality.

FAQ

Q1. Can I book flights to Kyiv or Lviv right now?
No. All commercial flights to Ukraine remain suspended. All airports are closed to passenger traffic, and the airspace is restricted to civilian flights. Any tickets you see online are placeholders, unofficial charters, or not valid. Wait for an official reopening announcement from Ukrainian authorities and airlines.

Q2. Who will be the first to resume flights, Wizz Air or Ryanair?
Both plan rapid returns once safety conditions allow. Wizz Air intends to deploy a large fleet and relaunch many routes within weeks. Ryanair has similar plans and aims for major passenger volumes. The first flight could be from either airline, depending on approvals and scheduling. Both are preparing to restart quickly when permitted.

Q3. Is Lviv more likely to reopen first than Kyiv?
Yes. Lviv is farther from conflict zones and has historically been less targeted. Authorities have considered it for an early phased reopening. Kyiv’s Boryspil Airport can also be ready quickly, but regulators and insurers may require a longer period of demonstrated safety. Lviv is the more probable first step, with Kyiv following soon after conditions improve.

Q4. How much advance notice will travelers have before flights restart?
Expect a few weeks of notice, but not much more. Airspace reopening will be announced by authorities, followed by airline schedules. EASA may need about six to eight weeks after a ceasefire to approve operations. Airlines such as Ryanair and Wizz Air say they can begin sales within about two weeks of approval.

Q5. What will ticket prices be like when flights resume?
Prices may fluctuate. Demand will be high, and operating costs may be higher at first, which can push fares up. However, low-cost carriers will likely launch promotional fares to stimulate travel. Initial flights or holidays may be expensive, while off-peak seats could be reasonably priced. Competition should normalize fares over time.

Q6. If flights get disrupted or canceled due to security issues, will EU261 compensation apply?
You will receive a refund or rebooking, but you will not get EU261 cash compensation. Security-related cancellations fall under extraordinary circumstances, which exempts airlines from paying compensation. Airlines may offer flexibility, and travel insurance might cover some costs, depending on the policy.

Q7. Could humanitarian or special flights operate even if commercial flights cannot?
Yes, but these flights are restricted to government, military, or aid organizations. They are not available for general passengers. Occasional exceptions during the war involved evacuations or cargo operations, but these do not function as regular commercial travel options.

Q8. Will flights resume after a temporary truce or only after full peace?
Reopening depends on safety, not politics. Authorities typically require a stable and durable stop to hostilities. A temporary or fragile truce is unlikely to be enough. Full reopening will likely align with a strong ceasefire or a formal peace agreement. Lviv could reopen first as a limited step if nationwide conditions improve.

Q9. What will the early flights experience be like?
Expect tighter security, extra screenings, modified routing, and possible presence of officials or media on initial flights. Airport services may be limited at first. There could be delays or diversions as procedures are adjusted. The atmosphere will be emotional and cautious. It will feel like a historic moment rather than a routine flight.

Q10. How should travelers prepare for early flights into Ukraine once they resume?
Stay flexible, monitor airline updates, expect enhanced security, and allow extra time. Book early when schedules appear but have backup plans in case of changes. Understand that operations may be slower or simplified during the initial restart phase.

Research Notes

To understand when Ukraine’s airspace might realistically reopen, I relied on a mix of official statements and reporting from aviation and regional news outlets. Al Jazeera’s coverage of the February 2022 UkSATSE announcement provided the baseline: the airspace was closed to civilian flights from the first hours of the full-scale invasion. EASA’s conflict-zone bulletins, updated through 2025, helped clarify why the closure remains in place and what risks, such as possible military misidentification.

For the forward-looking picture, I reviewed Eurocontrol material describing the technical and training steps needed before Ukrainian air traffic control can resume. Reuters interviews with airline executives, including Wizz Air’s and Ryanair’s publicly stated timelines of four to six weeks after a ceasefire, offered useful insight into how carriers are planning their eventual return. Reporting from the Kyiv Independent added important context, noting that officials expect the airspace to remain closed until the war ends, with some forecasts suggesting the restrictions could extend for years.