French Transport Minister Says Ukraine Working Towards Partially Opening Airspace for Civil Flights

French Transport Minister, Clément Beaune, has revealed that Ukraine is making progress towards reopening its airspace to civil flights, possibly in a partial capacity.

 Speaking to European Pravda, Beaune discussed the cooperation between the two countries in training Ukrainian civil aviation pilots and air traffic controllers. He stated that Ukrainians are already practicing on simulators in France and that both countries have agreed to expand this collaboration further.

 Beaune emphasized the significance of practice for aviators before resuming work, emphasizing the importance of safety. He added that while he cannot determine the exact date for the reopening of Ukraine's airspace, Ukrainian officials are working hard to make it possible. However, the primary concern is security.

 "This is actually a very necessary thing. I hope the moment when civil aviation flights will resume over Ukraine will come soon. And if aviators do not have practice, then according to the safety rules, they will not have the right to resume work immediately," Beaune said.

 "Therefore, we are helping Ukraine prepare for the moment when your airspace will be fully or partially opened," he added.

 Ukraine closed its airspace to civilian aircraft in February 2022 in response to the full-scale Russian invasion. The European Organization for Air Navigation Safety (Eurocontrol) has predicted that flight restrictions over Ukraine will remain in place until 2029.

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