A worsening situation and a possible war in Ukraine could have major consequences for commercial air traffic. Among other things, ticket prices could be affected, according to aviation safety expert Hans Kjäll.
”"Ukraine is big and the detours will be considerable," he tells TT.
The airline SAS is currently flying to Ukraine as usual despite the tense security situation. Tuesday's flight from Oslo to the Ukrainian capital Kiev is scheduled to go ahead.
”We wait and "We are closely monitoring the situation. If it is actually possible to fly, we want to give those who want to get out of there an opportunity to do so. Therefore, we do not want to cancel too early. But if there are any doubts at all, it is clear that we will make other decisions," says Communications Director Karin Nyman to TT.
SAS flies from Oslo to Kiev every week. However, the airline has no other flights that are directly affected by the Ukraine crisis.
”People plan ahead and have been doing so for a long time,” says Nyman.
Ukraine continues to keep its airspace open to international traffic, but Dutch airline KLM has become the first major airline to decide to suspend flights to the country in light of the increasingly imminent threat of a major Russian invasion.
A charter plane from the Ukrainian company Sky Up was diverted to Moldova on Sunday en route from Madeira to Kiev after its Irish leasing company decided to ban flights in Ukrainian airspace.
According to a press release from Sky Up, some of the world's largest insurance companies have announced that their insurance policies will not be valid in Ukrainian airspace as of Monday.
”"Then it is classified as a war zone and then there are special rules, either the insurance does not apply or there are a number of exceptions," says Hans Kjäll.
”"It's common when it comes to war zones. According to international rules, civilian aircraft are not allowed to fly over a war zone."”
Ukrainian airspace is normally well-trafficked. If more companies stop flying in the region, it will lead to traffic congestion all around, according to Hans Kjäll.
”"It definitely will be. Ukraine is big and the detours will be considerable. It may affect the ticket price because you will have higher fuel costs and the like. The load on airports bordering Ukraine will also increase."”
Source: TT
