Best safe airports to use in Ukraine during travel
Currently, due to the ongoing conflict and high-risk security situation in Ukraine, most of its airspace remains closed to civilian flights, making travel by air inside Ukraine unsafe. Several Ukrainian airports have been damaged by the war, and the airspace is still considered a conflict zone. Ukraine has been planning to reopen some airports cautiously in 2025, focusing on safety and security. The airports most likely to resume operations first are Lviv International Airport (LWO) in the west, and Boryspil International Airport (KBP) near Kyiv, as these have been prioritized for reopening once security measures are confirmed. Passenger safety and air defense capabilities remain top concerns before reopening. Travel alternatives currently involve reaching neighboring countries’ airports and then entering Ukraine by land transportation. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Summary of airports in Ukraine with potential safe operations in 2025:
- Lviv International Airport (LWO): Expected to reopen in spring to summer 2025, focus of government and airlines ready to resume schedules.
- Boryspil International Airport (KBP): Kyiv’s main airport, critical for reopening plans after Lviv, maintained readiness to restart operations quickly after safety clearance.
- Other airports (e.g., Kyiv Zhuliany, Odessa, Kharkiv) are less likely to operate soon due to war damage and safety risks.
Currently, no airports inside Ukraine are fully safe for civilian air travel without restrictions. Travelers should monitor official updates and consider using airports in neighboring countries for connections to Ukraine. 4, 5, 6, 8, 10
In conclusion, the safest airports to use for travel related to Ukraine in 2025 are Lviv International Airport and Boryspil International Airport, but their actual opening is conditional on security clearance. Otherwise, travelers must rely on nearby foreign airports and cross into Ukraine via ground transportation. 3, 5, 6, 4