KLM has become the first major European airline to stop flying to Ukraine as tensions continue over a potential Russian invasion of its neighbour.
Meanwhile Ukraine’s government has indicated that it would be willing to “make financial commitments” to ensure the safety of aircraft flying to the country, such as providing funds for insurance companies, leasing firms and airlines to allow the continuation of services.
Several European nations, including the Netherlands, Norway and the UK, have warned their citizens not to travel to Ukraine in recent days due to the crisis, as well as for people already in Ukraine to leave.
KLM made the decision to suspend Kyiv flights on Saturday (12 February) when a scheduled service to the Ukrainian capital was cancelled.
“This decision follows the adjusted travel advice to code red and an extensive safety analysis. It is not yet clear when KLM will fly to Kyiv again,” said the airline.
“KLM has not been flying over the eastern regions of Ukraine and Crimea since 2014. There are now no more KLM flights through Ukrainian airspace until further notice.”
On Monday (14 February), Ukraine International Airlines moved five of its Boeing 737 aircraft to Spain, citing its insurance company's unwillingness to cover flights in Ukrainian airspace.
Other airlines, including Lufthansa, Air France and Wizz Air, said they were “closely monitoring” the situation but flights were currently operating as normal.
Some major carriers, such as British Airways, do not currently fly to Ukraine and are not believed to be using the country’s airspace for over-flying.
Airlines have been avoiding eastern Ukrainian airspace since the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines’ flight MH17 in July 2014 killing all 298 passengers and crew.
The US has also urged its citizens to leave Ukraine and will only maintain a small consular presence in Lviv to handle emergencies.
Israeli carrier El Al said on Monday it was "allocating additional aircraft to assist thousands of American citizens stuck in the Ukraine, which will allow them to travel back to the US via Tel Aviv". El Al added it was still operating its scheduled flights between Tel Aviv and Kyiv.
Latvian flag carrier AirBaltic announced on Monday it would add additional flights on Tuesday and Wednesday departing Kyiv for Riga.
Risk management companies have also started advising clients to leave while flights are still available and preparing essential workers for a swift exit plan via ground transport if necessary.