Zelensky signs into law bill on civil aviation procedures aimed at European integration

MOSCOW. April 26 (Interfax) - Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky signed into law a bill, which implements a number of European standards, facilitates state regulation of civil aviation and introduces additional mechanisms of effective control over civil aviation security on April 21, the bill aims to promote the European integration of Ukraine, the Ukrainian media said.

The bill facilitates the issuance of airworthiness certificates and flight permits to certain aircraft imported by Ukraine - there is no need for certification in Ukraine whenever a plane is already certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)

According to the document, it will be unnecessary in Ukraine to obtain the rights to operate air lines by Ukrainian air carriers in regular flights within national borders, as well as flights to other states, and to operate charter flights of Ukrainian and foreign air carriers in Ukraine. It will be enough for a certified air carrier to agree on slots at national airports in order to start commercial flights in Ukraine.

Enterprises and organizations that provide ground service to civil aviation do not need to receive a certificate of conformity. A transition to the declarative principle of responsibility is provided for such enterprises and organizations.

There will be no requirement to file for authorization by the civil aviation regulator in order to take off from a Ukrainian airport, land at an airport, or fly over the national territory.

There will be no more certification of enterprises operating at an airport. The process used to take three to six months. The work can begin as soon as the respective package of documents is submitted.

There will be no need for certifying agents that sell air transportation services. The rule also applies to businesses that train personnel for organization or selling of air transportation services.

Ukrainian laws will be adapted to EU civil aviation guidelines, Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and the Common Aviation Area Agreement.

Ukrainian Deputy Minister for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development Sergei Derkach said, as he commented on the bill, that airlines would be able to resume flights in Ukraine as soon as proper security levels were achieved.

The Verkhovna Rada passed the bill as a whole on March 21, 2023.