Ukraine closes airspace to civilian flights

The Ukrainian State Air Traffic Services Enterprise posted the bulletin at approximately 12:45am GMT, warning that ‘the provision of air traffic services by civilian users of Ukrainian airspace is suspended’.

It added that the decision, made at approximately 2:45am Kyiv time, had been made ‘based on an urgent notification of the Main Center for the Use of Civil Aviation Airspace of the Russian Federation’ in accordance with ‘the requirements of the Air Code of Ukraine and the Regulations on the use of airspace of Ukraine’.

It is currently unknown as to why Russian air traffic control chose to forewarn Ukrainian airspace. However, during the previous military crisis in the region in 2014, Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine, killing all 283 passengers and 15 crew onboard.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) also warned that airspace in Russia and Belarus, within 100 nautical miles of the Ukrainian border could also pose safety risks, particularly due to ‘risk of both intentional targeting and misidentification of civil aircraft’.

EASA added that: “The presence and possible use of a wide range of ground and airborne warfare systems poses a high risk for civil flights operating at all altitudes and flight levels. Air operators are reminded that this is now an active conflict zone.”

Airlines had already been struggling to continue flights due to the heightened tension

Prior to the announcement, foreign governments including the UK, Canada, France, Italy and the US had already advised airlines to avoid airspace over eastern Ukraine and Crimea but had stopped short of a full ban. Many had already begun withdrawing diplomatic staff and had advised their citizens not to travel to the country.

However, some airlines had already taken action to suspend flights to the country, including Lufthansa and Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM). In addition, Ukrainian airlines had already been experiencing problems in securing insurance for some flights.

Ukrainian International Airlines (UIA) issued a statement, saying: “UIA is making efforts and is constantly negotiating with insurance companies, the ministry of infrastructure of Ukraine, the state aviation administration and hopes for mutual understanding.”

SkyUp added: “Negotiations with insurers have been difficult and our foreign partners continue to regularly assess their own risks and monitor the situation.”