Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal, Vice-President of the European Commission/High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell and Ambassador of the Presiding over the EU Council Republic of Slovenia to Ukraine Tomaž Mencin signed a Common Aviation Area Agreement between Ukraine and the European Union.
The agreement was inked on October 12 as part of the 23rd Ukraine-EU Summit in the presence of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of the European Council Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen.
“The Common Aviation Area Agreement is a free visa regime in the aviation domain for both Ukrainian and European air carriers. Ukraine will receive the same opportunities, rules and standards in the field of air transportation as those of the EU member states. We are “creating Europe” on the Ukrainian aviation market. The Governments of Ukraine and the EU will no longer provide permissions for one route or another. Airlines will be able to negotiate the possibility of flights and their number directly with the airports,” stressed Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
The Head of the Ukrainian Government noted that competition between air carriers, as in Europe, is one of the significant factors in reducing ticket prices. Therefore, the deal will open more opportunities and destinations for Ukrainians to travel.
In accordance with the provisions of the Agreement, the parties will establish a Common Aviation Area between Ukraine and the EU on the basis of equal rules of aviation safety, air traffic management, social rights of workers, electronic reservation systems, environmental protection and consumer protection.