Local authorities in the Zhytomyr region are considering the possibility of restoring and reopening Zhytomyr Airport after the war. This was announced by Olena Shuliak, Head of the Parliamentary Committee on State Power, Local Self-Government, Regional Development, and Urban Planning, according to her press service.
Competition with Boryspil and Cargo Transport Potential
According to Shuliak, Zhytomyr Airport could serve as an alternative to Kyiv’s major international airports, Boryspil and Zhuliany, by offering competitive conditions for low-cost airlines. Additionally, the airport has the potential to become a key hub for cargo transportation.
Once operational, the airport will be capable of handling Airbus A320 aircraft, allowing it to serve over 300,000 passengers annually and transport approximately 5,000 tons of cargo.
Funding Sources for the Project
Preliminary estimates suggest that reopening the airport will require around $20 million in investment. Funding is expected to come from multiple sources, including:
- The Ukraine Facility program
- U.S. aid and investments (preferential loans, bilateral support)
- Grants and loans from the EU through special funds
- Support from the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
- Assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
- The Property and Infrastructure Recovery Fund
- Private investments from Ukrainian and international businesses
Previous Reconstruction Attempts
In early February 2022, the Zhytomyr Regional State Administration signed a contract worth UAH 780 million with the Turkish company “Onur Construction International” to reconstruct the airport’s runway. However, work never began due to Russia’s full-scale invasion. At the onset of the war, Russian forces launched a missile strike on the airport.
History of Zhytomyr Airport
Zhytomyr International Airport, named after Sergey Korolev, was established in 1937. Between 1990 and 2014, it remained non-operational due to the poor condition of its runway.
Local authorities hope that once the war ends, the renovated Zhytomyr Airport will become a crucial transportation hub for both Ukraine and international travel.
