We see no possibility of full recovery of Ukraine without functioning airports

Exclusive interview with Olivier Jankovec, Director General of Airports Council International Europe (ACI EUROPE), to Interfax-Ukraine

Text: Alyona Mangelo 

Could you tell us more about the association ACI EUROPE and your cooperation with Ukrainian airports?

We are the global confederation representing the airport industry worldwide., ACI has offices in Hong Kong, Panama City, Casablanca, Washington DC, Montreal and Brussels. As ACI EUROPE, we are the voice of European airports, representing 561 airports in 54 countries. We work closely with Ukrainian airports and the airport association of Ukraine. We are a unique centre of expertise, bringing together more than 700 airport industry experts and professionals, who are participating in our committees and forums. We cooperate closely with governments and European institutions. In particular, with the European Commission, the European Parliament, the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the SESAR project, the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol), and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

What is the purpose of your current visit to Ukraine?

We continue to keep in touch with our Ukrainian member airports (ACI) in these difficult times. Our journey to Kyiv took over 24 hours, including 17 hours by train from Warsaw. Ukraine is currently in logistical isolation due to the war with Russia, and the Ukrainian air transport system  plays a crucial and strategic  role for the country. As we constantly promote the economic and social value of air connectivity , we are of course supporting our Ukrainian airport members in finding the way forward to to find solutions as soon as possible to activate safe transport