Economic Challenges of the Development of International Air Services in Ukraine during the war

This master’s thesis addresses the economic challenges related to the development of international air services in Ukraine during the ongoing military conflict and explores possibilities for their recovery in the post-war period. The aim of the thesis is to assess the specific issues concerning the organization of international air transportation under crisis conditions, examine their impact on the country’s economic development, and propose effective strategies for the recovery and sustainable growth of the sector. The theoretical part defines the key concepts and principles of international air services, describes their role in economic development, and identifies the main economic obstacles to the expansion of the aviation industry. The analytical section evaluates the state of Ukraine’s international air transport sector before the war, analyzes the impacts of the conflict on both the global and Ukrainian aviation markets, and examines the case study of SkyUp Airlines. The research findings show that the war led to the suspension of operations at 12 out of 19 Ukrainian airports and significantly disrupted international air connectivity, resulting in negative effects not only for Ukrainian carriers but also for global aviation. Based on an assessment of international experiences in supporting the aviation sector during crises, a three-stage recovery strategy has been formulated: stabilization during the conflict, reconstruction in the post-war period, and long-term structural modernization aimed at integration into the European aviation space. The thesis presents proposals for rebuilding infrastructure, supporting airlines, implementing sustainable technologies, and developing strategic partnerships, thus contributing to the formulation of a potential model for the sustainable development of Ukrainian aviation in the post-war era.