Volodymyr Groysman: The process of attracting new air carriers to Ukraine envisages the development of opportunities for domestic airports

The attraction of new airline companies to Ukraine, primarily low-cost carriers envisages the intensive development of domestic airports - both international and regional, which capabilities are used inefficiently. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman during the special meeting on the development of air traffic and negotiation process with low-cost airlines.

«We stand for single rules (of attracting airlines), including low-cost ones. At the same time, we have different airports as well as various airport terminals. Therefore, the program and new rules of attraction of air carriers are needed», the Head of Government stressed.

He underlined that the blueprint of attracting airlines to the largest in Ukraine, the Boryspil International Airport is understandable. But apart from Boryspil, there are two more airports located in the capital, namely Kyiv (Zhulyany) and Antonov (also known as Gostomel) airports. It is vital to develop these air terminals as well.

In this context, Volodymyr Groysman expressed the idea of the development of the Gostomel airport, which serves as a base for the aircrafts of Antonov State Company and is used by the Antonov Airlines, hence transforming it into a base airport for the low-cost carriers, including the Irish low-cost Ryanair. The Prime Minister proposed to shape the project documentation for the development of the Gostomel airport with valuation of all necessary work.

«We have to make a decision that will allow us to solve several issues at once, including the abolition of any monopolies in Boryspil airport, attracting new air carriers and lowering the cost of tickets for our passengers», stressed Volodymyr Groysman.

On the outcomes of the meeting, the attendees agreed to continue the policy of actively attracting low-cost airlines to Ukraine, to work out, as a temporary solution, provision of services for low-costs carriers at airports "Boryspil" or Kyiv (Zhulyany) for one year, moreover during this time to turn the airport Gostomel into the airport for low-cost carriers. In addition, the entry of low cost carriers into Ukrainian regional airports should be a condition for attracting the said airlines.

 The Head of Government emphasized that the essential task is to develop a tool aimed at boosting the development of regional airports

Apart from that, he confirmed the need to resume and complete talks with Ryanair and instructed the Ministry of Infrastructure of Ukraine to inform other airlines about the conditions for entering Ukraine’s aviation market.