Ukrainian State Air Traffic Services Enterprise

Thanks to our colleagues for support!🇺🇦🇸🇪🇩🇰

Ukrainain State Air Traffic Services Enterprise convened with the leadership of the air navigation service providers of Lithuania ORO NAVIGACIJA and Poland Polish Air Navigation Services Agency in Lviv. The focal points of our agenda encompassed the facets of bilateral cooperation and the recommencement of aviation operations within Ukraine’s airspace. I delivered an insightful presentation delineating the strategic roadmap for reinstating air navigation services over Ukrainian skies. In response, our counterparts endorsed our propositions and committed to reestablishing operational synergy and technological workflows amongst our entities. A pivotal element in the revival of air navigation services lies in the preservation of the operational staff’s professional skills. Therefore, a significant segment of our discourse revolved around the organization of training for Boryspil Tower’s air traffic controllers in the Republic of Lithuania, alongside the professional training of Ukrainian controllers at the Polish air navigation service provider, PANSA. We have a common desire to organize these training sessions in 2025. A separate topic of the negotiations was the subject of strategizing and securing political endorsement for the ongoing activities of the European ATM Voluntary Solidarity Fund for the year 2025, established and functions under the aegis of EUROCONTROL. Our Polish and Lithuanian allies reaffirmed their unwavering support for the fund’s operational continuity into the subsequent year and expressed their readiness to provide political support at the level of governments of the EUROCONTROL Member States. In the concluding segment of our assembly, we turned our attention to the advancements within the DEVICE project, which amalgamates air navigation service providers from the Republic of Lithuania, the Republic of Poland, the Kingdom of Spain, and EUROCONTROL. UkSATSE has joined the project as an observer and advisory board member, aiming to assimilate cutting-edge European research pertaining to the deployment of virtual air traffic management centres. This project is integral to the research initiatives aligned with the Digital European Sky concept and receives funding from EU grants through the SESAR program. Moreover, the meeting’s itinerary included a visit to Lviv airport, where the airport’s director Tetyana Romanovska acquainted us with the implemented crisis management strategies and unveiled the blueprint for the enterprise’s resurgence. Magdalena Jaworska Saulius Batavicius Tomas Montvila Rafal Marczewski Inga Jankunaite Vasyl Novakovskyi Iryna Parshykova Marcin Wilkowski

Attending the inaugural World Overflight Risk Conference 2024 in Warsaw (#WORC2024). This conference is presented by the EASA - European Union Aviation Safety Agency and Osprey Flight Solutions - the world leader in civil aviation flight safety risk assessment. Ongoing conflicts worldwide have highlighted the varying approaches taken by aviation regulators and aircraft operators in addressing threats to flight safety. These differences emerge when implementing restrictions or flight prohibitions, as well as when lifting them. During the panel discussion on maintaining uninterrupted enterprise operations amidst flight safety challenges, I expressed gratitude to all participating countries for their support to Ukraine and conveyed hope for the swift restoration of flights in Ukrainian airspace. Over the past decade, Ukraine has acquired valuable practical expertise in implementing airspace restrictions and restoring air traffic flows. Since 2014 UkSATSE has faced significant challenges caused by the military-political and economic situation in the country and the world: temporary occupation of Crimea, downing of Malaysian Airlines MH17, partial closure of the Eastern part of Ukrainian airspace, mutual restrictions on flights with rf and Belarus, full-scale war. Ukrainain State Air Traffic Services Enterprise has consistently applied strict anti-crisis measures and strategies to preserve aeronautical infrastructure, retain highly qualified operational specialists, ensure liquidity, maintain high standards of aeronautical services and aviation safety, and respond to changes in air traffic flows. Striking the right balance between economic viability and flight safety during crises poses a significant challenge as the financial strain resulting from reduced income can directly impact an enterprise’s ability to maintain safety standards. I shared with participants the Ukraine’s experience in resuming flights over the Black Sea in the Simferopol Flight Information Region (Simferopol FIR). In August 2015, Ukraine in close collaboration with EUROCONTROL developed the Safety Case, a strategic document that introduced specialized flight planning procedures within a specific portion of the airspace, responding to the temporary occupation of Crimea. Subsequent long-term experience in restoring air traffic flows has demonstrated the effectiveness of employing a gradual approach to flight restoration. This is supported by statistical data showing an increase in the number of flights and airlines during the pre-war period. The ongoing full-scale aggression of the russian federation has restricted airspace over Ukraine for civil aircrafts. Given that, restoring air navigation services in Ukrainian airspace is crucial priority for the State today. On the final day of the conference, we will delve into the specific measures designed to enhance institutional capacity for the swift restoration of air navigation services in Ukrainian airspace.

The 61st Session of the EUROCONTROL Provisional Council (PC) and Permanent Commission (SN) was held on 13 June 2024, where Ukraine was represented by Andriy Yarmak, Director of UkSATSE, and Kostiantyn Shvets, Representative of Ukraine to EUROCONTROL. The participants of the Session were informed, among other things, about the functioning of the European ATM Voluntary Solidarity Fund in support of Ukraine during 2023 and the replenishment of the Fund in 2024. Raúl Medina Caballero, Director General of EUROCONTROL, also stressed the need to extend the Fund for the next year. Andrii YARMAK, on behalf of Ukraine, expressed his sincere gratitude to the Agency and EUROCONTROL Member States for their valuable assistance and support during more than two years of war, and in particular for the creation and replenishment of the Fund in 2023-2024, which allowed the preservation of the Ukrainian air navigation system. Attention was also drawn to the vital need to continue the functioning of the Fund beyond 2024 in view of the continuing armed aggression of the russian federation. In addition, the EUROCONTROL Member States took an important decision to pay Ukraine's membership contribution for 2024 in the amount of EUR 2.7 million at the expense of unused funds from the EUROCONTROL budget for 2023, allowing Ukraine to remain a full member of the EUROCONTROL family of Member States this year. We continue working to maintain the operational readiness of UkSATSE and prepare for the resumption of flights in the peaceful airspace of Ukraine!

It was an incredible day at the control tower in Madrid for Ukrainian air traffic controllers Ukrainain State Air Traffic Services Enterprise one of the largest airports in Europe Madrid Barajas, where the talented air traffic controllers work. Sincere thanks for their incredible support during these challenging times for Ukraine. The warm and welcoming reception from our Madrid colleagues deeply impressed us. They are true professionals in their field, and we are grateful for the warmth they provided us. Special thanks to the coordinator of this outstanding meeting - Clara Sáez. Your work is invaluable! Season’s Greetings and a Happy New Year for the ENAIRE . Wishing you peace and safe Sky. #ThankYou #Madrid #FriendshipBetweenNations 🇺🇦🇪🇸Andriy Yarmak