EU and Ukraine's Government signed (12-Oct-2021) a comprehensive air transport agreement, enabling the following:
- All EU airlines will be able to operate direct services from anywhere in the EU to any airport in Ukraine, and vice versa for Ukrainian airlines;
- All limitations and restrictions on services between Ukraine and the EU will be removed and "the provisions on open and fair competition will guarantee a level playing field".
The agreement opens the way for a 'common aviation area' between the EU and Ukraine based on common standards in safety, security and air traffic management. The agreement is expected to foster market access and offer new opportunities for airlines and consumers. Ukraine will further align its legislation with EU aviation rules and standards in areas such as safety, air traffic management, security, the environment, economic regulation, competition, consumer protection and social aspects. European Commissioner for Mobility and Transport Adina Vălean said the agreement "will allow the EU and Ukraine to strengthen their partnership in aviation through gradual market integration". Ukraine was the EU's 13th largest ex-EU market in 2019, with 9.8 million passengers. [more - original PR]