Eurocontrol extends support for Ukrainian aviation sector through 2024

MOSCOW. Nov 29 (Interfax) - The European Organization for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) decided on Wednesday to extend the operations of the European solidarity fund for supporting Ukraine and Moldova through 2024, Ukrainian State Air Traffic Services Enterprise Director Andrei Yarmak said.

Just as this year, the fund will enable Ukrainian State Air Traffic Services Enterprise's operations and provide preconditions for resuming air traffic services in Ukrainian airspace after the crisis is over, Ukrainian media said with reference to Yarmak's social media post.

In late November 2022, the 41 member states of Eurocontrol announced the establishment of two voluntary solidarity funds for supporting the organization's member states during air traffic crises created by factors beyond their control. One of these is a donation-based fund for Ukraine and Moldova with a potential amount of 46.5 million euros, and the other is a loan-based fund for Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Poland with a potential amount of 46.1 million euros.

Ukraine received the first tranche of assistance from Eurocontrol's air navigation solidarity fund on February 16, 2023.

Established in 1992, Ukrainian State Air Traffic Services Enterprise provides a full range of services related to air navigation, the organization of air traffic flows, radio and electronic support for communications, navigation, and surveillance, and the provision of meteorological and aeronautical information for all types of flights. The enterprise's area of responsibility covers five flight information regions with a total area of 774,569 square kilometers.

Ukraine's airspace has been closed since February 24, 2022.