Boryspil International Airport

Boryspil International Airport
Name	Boryspil International Airport
Caption	Terminal D
IATA	KBP
ICAO	UKBB
Owner	Government of Ukraine
Operator	State Enterprise "Boryspil International Airport"
City-served	Kyiv
Location	Boryspil, Kyiv Oblast
Elevation-f	427
Elevation-m	130
Coordinates	50, 20, 41, N...
Website	https://kbp.aero/
R1-number	18L/36R
R1-length-m	4,000
R1-length-f	13,123
R1-surface	Asphalt
R2-number	18R/36L
R2-length-m	3,500
R2-length-f	11,483
R2-surface	Asphalt

Boryspil International Airport. It is the primary and busiest international airport serving Ukraine, located near the city of Boryspil in Kyiv Oblast, approximately 29 kilometers east of the capital, Kyiv. As the country's main aviation gateway, it handles the majority of Ukraine's international passenger traffic and serves as a key hub for Ukraine International Airlines and SkyUp. The airport features modern infrastructure, including its main passenger terminal, Terminal D, and plays a critical role in connecting Ukraine to major cities across Europe, Asia, and North America.

History

The airport's origins trace back to the Soviet Union era, with its initial development as a military airfield in the 1950s before transitioning to civilian use. Significant expansion occurred in the 1960s to accommodate the growing capital, Kyiv, including the construction of a new terminal building. A major milestone was reached in preparation for the 1980 Summer Olympics, as the airport was upgraded to host international flights related to the events held in the Soviet Union. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and Ukraine's independence in 1991, it was designated as the nation's principal international gateway. Subsequent modernization projects in the 21st century, particularly the opening of Terminal D in 2012 for UEFA Euro 2012, transformed it into a modern European aviation facility. Operations were severely disrupted following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with commercial flights suspended.

Terminals

The airport's passenger operations are centralized in Terminal D, a modern facility opened in 2012 that consolidates all international and domestic flights. Terminal D was constructed for UEFA Euro 2012 and features numerous gates equipped with jet bridges, a wide range of retail and dining concessions, and extensive check-in and baggage handling systems. The older Terminal F, previously used for charter and budget flights, and Terminal B, which historically served domestic routes, have been largely inactive since the consolidation of services. The infrastructure also includes a dedicated VIP terminal for private and business aviation clients.

Airlines and destinations

Prior to 2022, the airport was a major hub, hosting a diverse array of carriers connecting Kyiv to global destinations. The primary hub carrier was Ukraine International Airlines, which operated an extensive network across Europe and to cities like New York, Bangkok, and Delhi. Other significant operators included the Ukrainian leisure airline SkyUp, and numerous foreign carriers such as Lufthansa, Air France, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, and El Al. Direct intercontinental services reached destinations in North America and Asia, while regional connections covered most major European capitals and economic centers from London to Beijing.

Statistics

Historically, it consistently led Ukraine in passenger traffic, handling over 15 million passengers annually in the years preceding 2022. It accounted for approximately 65% of the country's total air passenger traffic, solidifying its status as the busiest airport in Ukraine. The top destination countries typically included Germany, Turkey, Poland, Italy, and Spain. The main hub carrier, Ukraine International Airlines, carried the largest share of passengers. All operational metrics saw a dramatic decline to near zero following the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine and the closure of Ukrainian airspace in February 2022.

Ground transportation

The airport is connected to Kyiv primarily by road and rail. The most direct road link is via the M03 highway, a major motorway that leads directly to the capital's center. Regular bus and marshrutka (minibus) services operate to Kyiv's central railway station and other key points. A dedicated airport express rail service, operated by Ukrainian Railways, connects Terminal D to Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi railway station in approximately 40 minutes. Taxi and ride-hailing services are also widely available, and several car rental agencies, including Hertz and Avis, maintain offices on-site.

Accidents and incidents

The airport's vicinity has been the site of several notable aviation occurrences. In 1976, an Aeroflot Tupolev Tu-104 crashed during approach, resulting in fatalities. A significant terrorist incident occurred in 1985, when a Tupolev Tu-134 operating Aeroflot Flight 8381 was hijacked; the standoff resulted in casualties after intervention by Soviet security forces. More recently, in January 2022, a Ukraine International Airlines cargo flight, operating for DHL Aviation, overran the runway after landing in poor weather conditions, though there were no serious injuries. The broader airspace has also been a conflict zone, most tragically demonstrated by the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014 and the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 near Tehran in 2020, both involving aircraft that had departed from this airport.

Category:Airports in Ukraine Category:Buildings and structures in Kyiv Oblast Category:Transport in Kyiv