25 Nov 2022 11:01

Eurocontrol to support aviation infrastructure of Ukraine and Moldova

MOSCOW. Nov 25 (Interfax) - The European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) has announced the creation of voluntary solidarity funds to support its member countries in air traffic crisis situations due to reasons beyond their control, Ukrainian media said on Thursday, citing a statement on the Eurocontrol website.

Traffic over the Ukrainian airspace has been stopped completely, leading to a loss of staff and incomes from route charges.

"Showing solidarity towards a fellow member state, Ukraine is the very least Eurocontrol members can do," European Commission Director General for Mobility and Transport Henrik Hololei said, according the statement.

The organization's 41 member states have asked Eurocontrol to set up and to manage to specific funds: one in the form of a donation to Ukraine and Moldova of 46.5 million euros and one in the form of a loan of 46.1 million euros to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

"The funds will be used to cover staff and training costs as well as any other costs needed to ensure operational readiness and continuity when air traffic recovers," Eurocontrol said.

Eurocontrol is a pan-European, civil-military organization dedicated to supporting European aviation.

Traffic over Ukrainian airspace was stopped on February 24.