✈️ Zhuliany airport in 2026: is it operating and how to get to Kyiv

Kyiv International Airport (Zhuliany) has not accepted passengers for more than four years. Civilian flights were suspended on February 24, 2022 (as of 09/2026, airport official website). Yet the facility is not idle: the team maintains the infrastructure and keeps the capital's air gateway ready.

This guide answers the main questions about Zhuliany. What is happening with flights now, what the airport was known for, what is on its grounds, and how to get to Kyiv in 2026 while the skies are closed.

The airport is located within the city limits, in its western part. It is only a few kilometers from the center on the map, noticeably closer than the country's main airport, Boryspil. For you, this means that once the skies reopen, the trip into the city will be short again.

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Flight status in 2026

💡 In short:

Civilian flights to Kyiv (Zhuliany) were suspended on February 24, 2022.
The infrastructure is being maintained, and staff keep the airport ready.
Flight status: 09/2026, verified on the website of the Kyiv (Zhuliany) airport.

While Ukraine's airspace is closed, there are no passenger flights to Zhuliany. The restriction was introduced at the start of the full-scale war and, according to the flight status page, it remains in effect. The skies are closed to civil aviation throughout the Kyiv flight information region.

EASA provides a planning reference. In bulletin CZIB-2022-01R14, updated on 24.07.2026, the recommendation to avoid flights has been extended at least until January 31, 2027 (notice on restriction timelines). Regular flights should not be expected before that date.

The airport will announce the resumption date separately. You should follow the official website rather than aggregator schedules. Old flights linger there for years and only cause confusion.

Kyiv Airport terminal at night with a monument

The airport has not been abandoned: the company's specialists ensure daily operation of the facilities and keep equipment in shape. This caution is justified, because once the skies open, the airport needs to be up and running quickly.

Where the airport is located

Zhuliany is located within Kyiv, in the western part of the city, in the district of the same name. The official address is 79 Povitroflotskyi Avenue (airport address and contacts). It is about 7 km from the center on the map.

Proximity to the city was always Kyiv's main advantage. A taxi to the center was short, and the ride was cheaper than from Boryspil. Boryspil, the capital's main airport, is considerably farther from the central districts, so the journey from there takes longer.

Public transport to the airport used to run regularly. Now, with no civilian flights, these routes do not operate at their previous frequency. But the location within the city remains the airport's trump card for the future, and you will not have to travel far.

Infrastructure and services

Even on its compact grounds, Kyiv (Zhuliany) offered passengers a full range of services. Parking, luggage storage, restaurants, ticket offices, and duty free shops were all available. Everything was housed in a small area, so walks between zones were short.

For travelers with children, dedicated children's rooms were provided. They had sleeping areas, play zones, a TV, a mini kitchen, and a toilet. Separate mother and child rooms were also available: you could change a baby and use a changing table there.

Interior view of Kyiv Zhuliany Airport terminal

This set of services is typical of a large airport, but here it fit into a modest footprint. You did not have to walk halfway across the terminal to find a cafe or luggage storage.

Business lounge and Priority Line

For passengers with high standards, Kyiv (Zhuliany) offered a business lounge. It provided free Wi-Fi, a computer and a fax, as well as a chance to grab a bite before departure. This was a lifesaver during long layovers and flight rescheduling.

Red university building in Kyiv in autumn

A separate Priority Line service was also available. It was a paid fast-track option for all formalities. You could book it for both arrival and departure, with no restrictions on domestic or international routes. For you, it was a straightforward option when time matters more than money.

Airlines and destinations before 2022

Before the airspace closed, the airport served dozens of carriers. Among them were Wizz Air, Flydubai, Belavia, Yanair, Motor Sich, URGA, Dniproavia, Vueling, Atlasjet Ukraine and DART. The list changed regularly, and passenger traffic grew along with it.

The route network covered almost all of Europe and long-haul destinations. From Zhuliany you could fly to Hungary, Poland, Lithuania, Cyprus, the United Kingdom, Austria, Slovakia and Finland. There were also more distant routes: Turkey, Bulgaria, Egypt, as well as Zanzibar and Kenya.

Yanair aircraft at Zhuliany Airport terminal

Before the war, the airport was among the largest in Ukraine. It shared the role of Kyiv's air gateway with Boryspil, and its proximity to the city center and compact terminals made it convenient for short trips and budget carriers.

Airport history

The airport traces its history back to 1924. That year, the first regular passenger flight in the history of Ukrainian civil aviation landed on the airfield near Zhuliany (company history since 1924). The capital's air connections began from this site.

In 2024, the company marked 100 years of operation (data on the airport's centenary). Over that time, the airport has lived through changing eras, renovations and passenger traffic growth. Today it remains part of Kyiv's transport history.

How to get to Kyiv without flying

While air travel is suspended, people reach Kyiv by land. The most predictable route from the European Union goes through the Polish city of Przemyśl. From there, Ukrzaliznytsia trains run to the Ukrainian capital, and the journey takes a full night, but with no transfers at the border.

It's best to book train tickets in advance: check train tickets to Kyiv. For popular dates, seats sell out weeks ahead, especially in summer and around holidays. The train crosses the border at a station, and passport control takes place right in the carriage or on the platform.

The difference from flying is obvious. The journey is longer, but usually predictable, although trains do sometimes run late. On the plus side, you arrive right in the center of Kyiv, at the railway station, from where it's easy to reach any part of the city.

When the airport reopens, transfers will return as well. The chauffeur service is still available now for trips within Ukraine.

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⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Is Zhuliany Airport operating in 2026?

No, there are no passenger flights yet because Ukraine's airspace is closed. Details in the "Flight status in 2026" section.

Can I fly to Kyiv right now?

There are no civilian flights to Kyiv or other Ukrainian cities. The most practical way to the capital right now is by land, for example by train from Przemyśl.

How did Zhuliany Airport differ from Boryspil?

The main difference is location: Zhuliany is within Kyiv city limits, while Boryspil is far outside the city. More on this in the "Where the airport is located" section.

What was available at the airport?

The compact site had a full range of services, from parking to duty free. Details in the "Infrastructure and services" and "Business lounge and Priority Line" sections.

When can we expect flights to resume?

There is no exact date; EASA restrictions have been extended at least until January 31, 2027. The bulletin details are described in the flight status section. The airport will announce the resumption of flights on its own website.

In short: what to book

Kyiv (Zhuliany) Airport is still closed to passengers, so there's no point booking a flight. However, a trip to Kyiv by land is worth planning in advance.

If you need to get to the capital: take the train from Przemyśl. If you need a transfer within Ukraine: book a car with a driver. Everything you need is at the links: Train tickets from Przemyśl and compare transfer options.

The airport is kept on standby. When the skies reopen, Zhuliany will once again reclaim its role as the air gateway closest to central Kyiv.

Kyiv airport (Zhuliany): flight status and how to get to the capital