ACI EUROPE: Kyiv Boryspil Airport along with the other Ukrainian airports are the required prerequisite for the revival of Ukraine’s economy and for attracting foreign investment

Losing and re-establishing operational readiness of Ukrainian airports will be far more costly than maintaining it – and will impact the country’s ability to recover said Olivier Jankovec following a three day visit to Ukrainian capital’s airports

On February 16, 2024, Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE, and Armando Brunini, President of ACI EUROPE and CEO of SEA Milan Airports, arrived with a working visit to Kyiv-Boryspil Airport, the main gateway to Ukraine, which has remained shuttered for nearly two years due to the ongoing war.

During their visit, they engaged in several discussions at Boryspil Airport, including meetings with its management and staff, representatives from other Ukrainian airports and the Association of Airports of Ukraine, and thorough dialogues on initiatives to sustain the Ukrainian airports’ readiness for reopening flight operations. The ACI EUROPE team and the airport’s CEO also reviewed the condition of the terminals, baggage claim area, check-in areas, passenger lounges, boarding zones, security checkpoints, aprons, and other infrastructure elements – all in perfect condition and ready for a prompt restart.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE, remarked, “Boryspil Airport has always been Ukraine’s primary aviation hub and will continue to be crucial for the nation’s economic recovery, enticing foreign investors, and connecting Ukraine to the world. It’s critical to preserve and maintain the airport as well as other Ukrainian airports during these challenging times to ensure a swift resumption of flights once aviation safety and security assessments permit. ACI EUROPE has stood by Ukrainian airports since the first day of war and remains committed to aiding them in quickly and safely reinstating their air services and preparing for future development.”

He added: “With their financial reserves depleted, it has become increasingly challenging for Ukrainian airports to keep this level of readiness up without external support. Airports are in scope of the EU Ukraine Plan – and they need to get their share of the €50 billion EU Ukraine Facility. Losing and re-establishing operational readiness will be far more costly than maintaining it – and will impact the country’s ability to recover.”

This marks the first visit by top ACI EUROPE officials to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion, with the association maintaining close contacts with its Ukrainian members through its conferences and  international forums hosted by ACI EUROPE. These platforms have been instrumental in keeping the global aviation community informed about the challenges facing Ukrainian aviation and sharing Boryspil Airport’s unique wartime experiences.

Oleksiy Dubrevskyy, Director General of Kyiv-Boryspil Airport, stated, “Having ACI EUROPE’s experts evaluate our facilities is immensely valuable. This strategic collaboration marks a significant milestone in the journey towards Boryspil Airport’s resurgence and underscores our unwavering commitment to advancing Ukraine’s aviation landscape. We extend our deepest gratitude to our partners at ACI EUROPE for their steadfast support, reaffirming the vital role of Boryspil Airport and Ukrainian civil aviation in shaping the future of the European aviation sector. Boryspil International Airport remains a cornerstone of the global aviation community, past, present, and future”.

The discussions also reaffirmed Kyiv-Boryspil Airport’s significance within European air travel. The parties committed to collaborative efforts for the airport’s support, emphasizing the need for technical and financial partnerships to assist the airport staff.

Armando Brunini, President of ACI EUROPE and CEO of SEA Milan Airports, assured their backing, stating, “We must ensure that the Ukrainian airports safely reintegrate into the aviation market, reclaiming their status and crucial role for enabling the air connectivity that is indispensable for the Ukrainian economy to remain resilient, become more self-sufficient and recover. Ukrainian airports are navigating unprecedented challenges, unlike anything European airports have faced in decades.”

Furthermore, as a full member of ACI EUROPE, Boryspil Airport benefits from the unwavering support of its partners, allowing it to forgo its membership contributions temporarily. On top of this, ACI EUROPE continues to collaborate with Boryspil Airport sharing knowledge, keeping abreast of aviation trends, and involving them in key aviation events, ensuring the nation’s airport retain it’s standing, which for Boryspil means re-establish its position as a leading hub connected with the international aviation community.

ACI EUROPE represents the collective interests of over 560 airports across 55 countries, accounting for more than 90% of European commercial air traffic. It promotes professional excellence in airport management and operations, serving as the European branch of the Airports Council International (ACI), the sole global association and confederation of airport operators.