Airports In Ukraine: Your Idyllic Gateway To Caucasian Heartland

Airports in Ukraine have been key in linking the country with the rest of the world. Ukraine has both major international airports and smaller regional ones that serve it well. Ukraine is a land of rich history, varied landscapes, and vibrant culture. There are more than 20 airports, and most were built for military use. However, the ongoing conflict has led to heavy disruptions in Ukraine’s aviation sector and commercial flights have been suspended. Other than the airports, there are supposedly airfields and airstrips which operate separately.

10 Major Airports In Ukraine

Following is a comprehensive guide to the major airports in Ukraine, ensuring a smooth travel experience.

1. Boryspil International Airport

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Boryspil International Airport, or Kyiv Boryspil Airport, is an international airport in Boryspil, 29 kilometres east of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. It is the largest airport in Ukraine and provides a big portion of the country’s air traffic operations. Boryspil International Airport was a member of the Airports Council International. The operation of scheduled, charter, or cargo flights has been suspended since February 24, 2022, due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which can result in further consequences. It has a 4,000-meter-long runway with a two-runway system; it serves wide-body jets and makes it a transit centre. VIP Terminal hosts major diplomatic flights. KBP stops limited operations, continuing freight and humanitarian service flights.

Places To Visit Nearby: Motherland Monument & Museum, St. Sophia’s Cathedral, Kyiv Pechersk Lavra

2. Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport

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Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) is a busy airport in Ukraine and a major transit point in the country’s west. The airport is situated 6 km from the former centre of Lviv and was completely overhauled for UEFA Euro 2012, with a new terminal having 34,000 sq. m. of floor area. The airport links Lviv to European cities with daily flights operated by airlines such as LOT, Ryanair, and Wizz Air. In spite of geopolitical tensions, LWO continues to be critical for cargo and humanitarian assistance. It has a 3,305-meter runway to facilitate operations of large aircraft. The airport incorporates state-of-the-art navigation systems, promoting efficiency and security.

Places To Visit Nearby: Lviv Opera House, High Castle Park, Armenian Cathedral

3. Kyiv International Airport, Zhuliany

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Kyiv International Airport (Zhuliany) (IEV) is among the busiest airports in Ukraine, located conveniently in the city centre, only 7 km from Kyiv. Unlike big Boryspil Airport, Zhuliany services mainly regional and low-cost carriers’ flights, thus making it a joy for budget travellers. The airport also has a business terminal with VIP services for private aircraft and stars. Its newly renovated infrastructure features a newly upgraded runway for safer landing in adverse weather. The internal elements of its terminals reflect Ukrainian heritage, adorned with Ukrainian-themed local art and Ukrainian-themed food stores. Having survived geopolitics, it has adapted by offering more domestic travel linkages and relief flights.

Places To Visit Nearby: St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Cathedral, National Expocenter of Ukraine, Holosiivskyi National Nature Park

4. Odesa International Airport

Photo: Oberhof / Wikimedia Commons

Odesa International Airport (ODS) is among the major air hubs of southern Ukraine, functioning as an important point of connection for domestic and international air traffic. In contrast to a number of the other airports in Ukraine, ODS has undergone considerable modernisation work, such as the 2021 opening of a new terminal with improved passenger amenities. In spite of regional instability, the airport has been an important entry point to the Black Sea coast, linking Odesa with large cities such as Istanbul, Warsaw, and Vienna. Its location is important for business and tourism purposes, particularly considering that Odesa is an old port city.

Places To Visit Nearby: Odesa Opera and Ballet Theatre, Arcadia Beach, Deribasivska Street

5. Kharkiv International Airport

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Kharkiv International Airport (HRK) is among the biggest airports in Ukraine, which serves Kharkiv, the country’s second-largest city. It is situated about 12 km from Kharkiv city centre and has a newly constructed terminal for UEFA Euro 2012, providing an improved passenger experience with modern amenities. The airport’s 2,500-meter runway is used for both domestic and international flights, which run routes to Istanbul and Warsaw, among others. Before the current conflict, HRK was an emerging aviation centre with regular flights by Ukraine International Airlines and Turkish Airlines. The airport boasts a VIP terminal, cargo complex, and duty-free shops, which says a lot about its strategic position in Eastern Ukraine’s economy.

Places To Visit Nearby: Kharkiv Art Museum, Derzhprom (State Industry Building), Gorky Central Park

6. Zaporizhzhia International Airport

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Zaporizhzhia International Airport (OZH) is an important regional airport in southeast Ukraine, providing a useful alternative to Dnipro International Airport. Prior to the war, it served domestic and international flights with direct services linking to Kyiv, Istanbul, and Warsaw. A large-scale 2020 renovation added a new terminal, providing an improved passenger experience with quicker check-ins and better facilities. As compared to other large Ukrainian airports, OZH supported low-cost carriers, hence becoming the best option for budget travellers. Located 15 km from the city centre of Zaporizhzhia, it offered ease in accessing Ukraine’s industrial hub.

Places To Visit Nearby: Zaporizhzhia Cossack Museum, Dmytro Yavornytsky Avenue, Dubovy Hai Park

7. Ivano-Frankivsk International Airport

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Ivano-Frankivsk International Airport (IFO) is one of the main domestic airports in Ukraine (western Ukraine) that serves the ancient city of Ivano-Frankivsk. In contrast to big airports in Ukraine, IFO welcomes primarily charter and seasonal flights, linking the Carpathian area with a number of European cities. The airport has one asphalt runway 2,500 meters long (09/27), which accommodates medium-size planes. Although the terminal is small, its services are relatively simple, such as customs control, and it even provides a VIP lounge. Prior to 2022, it was among the main entry points for tourists travelling to Bukovel, Ukraine’s top ski resort. The airport was also used as a military logistical hub, being situated close to the Carpathians.

Places To Visit Nearby: Shevchenko Park, Maniava Waterfall, Potocki Palace

8. Mykolaiv International Airport

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Mykolaiv International Airport (NLV), once the main regional airport in south Ukraine, had intensive operational issues over the last couple of years. It is 13 km west of Mykolaiv city. It originally had domestic and infrequent international flights. Even after renovation projects, including refurbished terminals and the modernisation of runways, its operations were still intermittent because of economic and political uncertainty. Before the 2022 Russian invasion in complete force, there were proposals to woo low-cost carriers, but the ongoing hostilities halted construction. Contrary to most of Ukraine’s major airports, Mykolaiv’s location made it a potential cargo and supply flight logistics centre, but military threats have made it largely inactive.

Places To Visit Nearby: Museum of Shipbuilding and Fleet, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Vereshchagin Art Museum

9. Chernivtsi International Airport

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Chernivtsi International Airport (CWC) is the main regional gateway into western Ukraine’s historic Chernivtsi city. Located near the Romanian border, it has strategic importance for cross-border traffic. CWC is a space-constraint airport that has still managed to handle important connections; its flights to Kyiv and to European cities stand out. Development plans continue despite the deterioration of operations due to infrastructure issues as well as geopolitical factors. Unlike the large airports of Ukraine, CWC offers a more efficient experience of travel featuring mainly regional and charter flights. One 2,200-long asphalt runway accommodates medium-haul planes. The number of people travelling from here is fluctuating while efforts are on to restore scheduled services.

Places To Visit Nearby: Chernivtsi Regional Museum of Folk Architecture, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Olha Kobylianska Street

10. Rivne International Airport

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Rivne International Airport (RWN) in western Ukraine is a regional airport with Soviet roots. A once-transit airport, the airport has seen periods of inactivity with shifting demand and geopolitical tensions. Despite having limited facilities, RWN has hosted charter flights, cargo operations, and seasonal flights, mainly serving passengers from Rivne and nearby oblasts. The airport has a single asphalt runway (2,626 meters) with the capacity to receive medium aircraft, though modernisation has been irregular. Attempts at reviving passenger flights before the 2022 all-out war were thwarted. The airport served logistically during periods of crisis, and humanitarian and military transport was made possible.

Places To Visit Nearby: Tunnel of Love, Amber Museum, Rivne Zoo

Airports in Ukraine have always been significant gateways for both domestic and international travel. The war has, however, severely battered their operations, and the majority of the airports are still closed to civilian air travel. Although there are talks of opening some of the airports, such as Lviv, the complete recovery of the Ukrainian aviation sector is dependent on what the future holds. Once safety and stability return, the airports will again link Ukraine to global destinations. If you’re planning future travel, stay updated on airport reopenings and flight options with TripXL, ensuring a seamless journey when Ukraine’s skies are open again.

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