As the war still rages between Ukraine and Russia, Poland’s national carrier, LOT Polish Airlines, has announced plans to resume flights from Warsaw to Kyiv and Lviv within six weeks, pending the end of hostilities and formal guarantees that Ukrainian airspace is safe for civilian operations.
The announcement is seen as both a symbolic and practical step toward the eventual return to normalcy in the region. LOT suspended its flights to Ukraine shortly after Russia’s invasion of the country in February 2022 that led to the closure of Ukrainian airspace to commercial traffic.
Now, more than three years later, the Polish flag carrier is preparing to relaunch its Ukrainian routes, beginning with the capital Kyiv and Lviv, a major cultural and economic hub in western Ukraine. Lviv is situated near the Polish border in the far west of the country and Kyiv is int the north-central region. Ukraine spans over 1,300 kilometres from east to west, making air transport crucial for economic recovery and national cohesion.
Lviv and Uzhhorod airports have been identified as possible early reopening locations, while Boryspil Airport, located near Kyiv, has indicated that it could be operational again within a month of receiving airspace clearance.
According to LOT, the relaunch is about more than just restoring vital links between the two countries; it is also about rekindling the network of connections that will stimulate economic growth, support the creative industries and boost mobility for citizens on both sides of the border.
LOT’s plans go beyond simply restoring its pre-2022 network. The airline is planning to expand its services to regional airports across Ukraine and is devising an ambitious plan to reconnect Ukraine with the rest of Europe, according to industry sources cited by Avianews. The routes will be operated using Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, which can carry up to 186 passengers.
Estimates suggest that the resumption of flights could directly benefit around 800,000 people, primarily Ukrainians living in Poland. Before the 2022 invasion, Poland was already home to one of the largest Ukrainian expatriate communities in Europe, with an estimated 1.3 to 1.5 million Ukrainians among the country’s two million foreign residents. Following the outbreak of war, more than 5.4 million Ukrainian refugees had crossed the border, and as of May 2025, nearly one million Ukrainian refugees still remain in Poland.
The war has severely impacted trade, tourism and business exchanges. Re-establishing air connectivity is expected to play a key role in rebuilding Ukraine’s economy and offering both its citizens and the international community a sense of renewed stability.
LOT’s initiative sends what the company describes as ‘a positive signal of resilience’, underscoring the role of aviation in fostering international cooperation and long-term recovery.
In February, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary told Reuters he expected the airline to be back in Ukrainian skies ‘within six weeks of the airspace opening’. That same six-week timeline is now echoed by LOT Polish Airlines, as this is the time that would be needed to prepare logistics and ensure demand.
The announcements have sparked cautious optimism that the conflict could be nearing its end. Whether or not peace comes soon, the aviation sector is already preparing for Ukraine’s post-war future.
