Budget airlines jostle for Ukraine flight revival once war with Russia ends

Waiting for peace: Zhuliany airport close to central Kyiv, pictured before the Russian invasion - (Simon Calder)

As Ukraine and Russia inch towards a possible settlement, Europe’s big three budget airlines have been setting out their plans for post-ceasefire flying.

Passenger aviation ended on the day Russia invaded on 24 February 2022. European safety authorities warn: “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.”