Let’s answer the most important questions about the near future of Ukrainian aviation.
What’s happening?
Leasing companies have begun to withdraw aircraft from Ukraine. So far, only one air carrier, SkyUp, has officially announced this. In his statement, he indicated that the problem arose due to the decision of the insurance companies. On February 12, they announced to Ukrainian airlines that they would cease risk insurance in the skies of Ukraine after 48 hours.
For this reason, the first SkyUp plane was forced to “land” on February 13th. During the flight from Portugal to Kiev, the plane landed in Chisinau at the request of the lessor, who banned further flights to Ukraine. The aircraft will remain here indefinitely.
What about planes of other airlines?
So far, only SkyUp has officially announced the problem. Other airlines do not comment on the situation.
In the State Register of Civil Aircraft of Ukraine, most of the aircraft of the largest airlines are registered with companies from Ireland, Cyprus, and the USA. Air carriers do not have their own aircraft. This means that in the event of insurance risks, they must return the aircraft at the first request of the lessor.
When will the situation clear up?
The 48 hours given by insurance companies to Ukrainian airlines expire on February 14th. On the same day, it should become clear whether the parties will be able to find a solution. Otherwise, most of the aircraft of Ukrainian airlines will leave the territory of Ukraine. If there is a decision, the planes will continue flying as usual.
Is the sky closed?
Ukraine did not close the sky of the country for flights, the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine announced on February 13. All airports in the country are also open. Flights have been restricted only to dangerous areas in the east of the country since 2014.
Similar bans were not imposed by the main aviation regulators in the US and Europe – the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
What about flights by foreign airlines?
Of the foreign airlines, only the Dutch KLM announced the suspension of flights to Ukraine for an indefinite period. She made this decision based on her risk system, which evaluates the safety of routes. A month ago, on the basis of the same system, KLM refused to stop aircraft at Boryspil airport overnight.
Other foreign air carriers have not yet announced the cancellation of flights to Ukraine.
What is strange about the situation?
Insurance companies did not stop insurance coverage for Ukrainian airlines in 2014 and 2015, when active hostilities were taking place in the country. Aircraft continued to fly, bypassing the closed areas for flights.
Currently, there are no active hostilities on the territory of Ukraine, but insurance companies are making ultimatum demands that can stop Ukrainian airlines.