Vienna Airport supports Ukrainian airports with equipment and expertise as part of a new collaborative agreement aimed at rebuilding Ukraine’s aviation infrastructure.
In a move that signals long-term cooperation and solidarity, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Vienna Airport and the Airports Association of Ukraine (AAUCA).
The agreement was officially signed during a recent delegation visit to Ukraine by Petro Lypovenko, President of the Airports Association of Ukraine, and Julian Jäger, joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport and President of the Austrian Airports Association (AÖV).
The ceremony took place in the presence of key figures such as Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Governor of Lower Austria, Kari Ochsner, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries of Lower Austria, and Oleksii Kuleba, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration.
The focus of the collaboration is on the exchange of professional expertise, support for operational infrastructure, and evaluation of future market potential. Vienna Airport has committed to donating specialized vehicles and technical equipment to Ukrainian airports as they prepare for the eventual resumption of normal operations. Although Ukrainian airports continue to face immense challenges due to the ongoing conflict, the long-term objective is clear: to restore and modernize air travel infrastructure across the country.
Julian Jäger stated, “Even though the current situation is very difficult for the Ukrainian airports due to the war, the airports are already dealing with the challenges of restoring the infrastructure and resuming regular flight operations throughout the country once this conflict hopefully ends soon. As Vienna Airport, we want to support them in this endeavour within the framework of our cooperation agreement.”
The agreement also reinforces Vienna Airport’s growing strategic role as a transport and logistics hub between Eastern and Western Europe. With an existing stake in Košice Airport in Slovakia—just 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border—Vienna Airport has demonstrated its commitment to supporting neighboring regions during and after times of crisis.
From March 31 to April 2, 2025, a delegation of 60 members from the Federation of Austrian Industries of Lower Austria visited Ukraine for a three-day mission. The itinerary included company visits, high-level political meetings, and a business forum organized in collaboration with the Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCI). During this forum, four additional Memorandums of Understanding were signed between Austrian and Ukrainian partners.
Notably, the delegation also visited the Hostomel military airport, a site of critical importance during the early days of the 2022 invasion. The airport was the focus of a failed airborne assault by Russian forces and has since become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance and resilience. The visit served as a stark reminder of the stakes involved in rebuilding the country’s transportation infrastructure.
Vienna Airport’s active involvement underscores Austria’s broader commitment to supporting Ukraine’s recovery. The technical support, professional collaboration, and mutual investment in future operations are all aimed at helping Ukraine rejoin the international aviation community when conditions allow.
As one of Europe’s most efficient hubs, Vienna Airport brings not only infrastructure but also a strong network and expertise to the table. Its support for Ukraine’s airports could accelerate the restoration process and offer valuable insights into post-crisis aviation recovery strategies. This new partnership is more than a gesture of goodwill—it’s a strategic alliance focused on long-term resilience and regional connectivity.
Top Photo: (from left to right) Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Governor of Lower Austria, Petro Lypovenko, President of the Association Airports of Ukraine of Civil Aviation, Julian Jäger, joint CEO and COO of Vienna Airport, Kari Ochsner, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries of Lower Austria, and Oleksii Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration and Minister for the Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine, at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding.
Photo Credit: Vienna Airport
