The effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on the civil aviation industry in Europe
Hjerpe, Mona (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052515811
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052515811
Tiivistelmä
The goal of this thesis is to compile the effects the aviation industry in Europe has had from the Russia-Ukraine war up until the spring of 2025, focusing on the operational-level impacts. The conflict escalated to a full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022. Industry reports, research articles and news will be the theoretical framework of this thesis. The chosen research methodology combines qualitative and quantitative methods, utilising online scholarly articles, existing industry research and annual reports from industry stakeholders.
The geopolitical situation between Europe and Russia has been tense and western countries have imposed several sanctions on Russia, and Russia has responded by many ways, one of which being the reciprocal flight ban over Russian airspace. The closure of Russian airspace from European carriers has led to many consequences in the European aviation industry. The Ukrainian airspace is also closed due to the war.
Operational costs and jet fuel prices have risen, aircraft raw material supply has been disrupted and legal disputes have arisen. Some European carriers needed to re-evaluate their strategies and route-networks in response to the changed business environment. Airports have also been affected, an example being Helsinki Airport which has served as a transit hub for passenger flows between Asia and Europe. On a larger scale before this war, Europe has been a key connecting hub intercontinentally. European carriers are facing a competitive disadvantage to non-western carriers that are not subject to the Russian airspace restrictions.
Aviation business stakeholders need to carefully identify and evaluate security dangers related to aviation operations, especially when geopolitical conditions are unstable. The final effects of the war on the European aviation industry remain to be seen after peace has been acquired. The war’s biggest influences on the European aviation industry have been directed to those air carriers and airports that have previously focused heavily on the Russian airspace utilisation. These carriers and airports needed to assess their strategies and adjust operations to fit with the changed operating environment.
The geopolitical situation between Europe and Russia has been tense and western countries have imposed several sanctions on Russia, and Russia has responded by many ways, one of which being the reciprocal flight ban over Russian airspace. The closure of Russian airspace from European carriers has led to many consequences in the European aviation industry. The Ukrainian airspace is also closed due to the war.
Operational costs and jet fuel prices have risen, aircraft raw material supply has been disrupted and legal disputes have arisen. Some European carriers needed to re-evaluate their strategies and route-networks in response to the changed business environment. Airports have also been affected, an example being Helsinki Airport which has served as a transit hub for passenger flows between Asia and Europe. On a larger scale before this war, Europe has been a key connecting hub intercontinentally. European carriers are facing a competitive disadvantage to non-western carriers that are not subject to the Russian airspace restrictions.
Aviation business stakeholders need to carefully identify and evaluate security dangers related to aviation operations, especially when geopolitical conditions are unstable. The final effects of the war on the European aviation industry remain to be seen after peace has been acquired. The war’s biggest influences on the European aviation industry have been directed to those air carriers and airports that have previously focused heavily on the Russian airspace utilisation. These carriers and airports needed to assess their strategies and adjust operations to fit with the changed operating environment.