In today's world, all large cities with a decent population have their own air stations. As long-term statistics and the growing popularity of air travel have shown, people are much more likely to use air transport if they do not need to go to another city only to one station. For this reason, all over the world they are trying to build the necessary infrastructure even in small towns. Ukrainian airports are of interest to historians and architects with managers. This is a whole layer of a clear example of diffusion occurring between the Soviet and sovereign periods.
Style difference
In the Soviet Union, the construction concept was widely used, excluding the aesthetic factor in favor of practicality. Indeed, it is quite convenient to build practical buildings. In addition, there are no "extra" architectural manifestations. For some, this approach will seemextremely interesting. After all, if you look at it from only one side, it has no flaws. In practice, almost all airports in Ukraine, built under the Soviet Union, have a completely disgusting appearance.
The style of that era is simply impossible not to recognize. Standard gray or white standard project building. Waiting rooms that are similar to each other not only within the station, but throughout the country. You don’t want to stay in such air harbors for a long time. When the eye has nothing to catch on, and the decoration resembles the administrative buildings of factories, a unique psychological effect is created that causes deep depression.
At the same time, with the acquisition of sovereignty, Ukrainian airports began to change. This is especially true for the western part of Ukraine. It is she who is closest to Europe. Observing the experience of neighbors, they began to build air terminals not according to standard projects, but according to individual ones. The widespread adoption of progressive design technologies has made airports more than just a train station. It is very pleasant to be in the most modern of them and you even want to walk around, visit all the floors, look out the large panoramic windows for a long time.
Three types of terminals
Air stations, unlike railway and bus stations, are of several types. They are determined by which flights are operated from them. In poor countries, one or two species open. Most often - one, but combining all the negative manifestations. Nothing can be done about it, savings and widespread unification are alwaysled to a violation of the aesthetic and even practical components. Airports in Ukraine no longer welcome unification. It can be said that the construction of terminals for various purposes solves many problems.
Large and expensive terminals are combined structures. They are distinguished by a large number of passenger terminals. Some are intended for domestic flights, others for international flights, as well as for flights to the countries of the former USSR.
Domestic airports operate only on local flights. This is also reflected in the aircraft fleet. Basically, short-haul and medium-haul liners are based there. Yes, and the types of ships also differ in turbojet and turboprop. In small towns, you can often find a turboprop aircraft fleet.
Exclusively international airports are no longer being built, they have been supplanted by specialized passenger terminals. However, they can still be found in the eastern part of the country.
International Airports of Ukraine
Many stations that are called international, in fact, belong to the combined type and are extremely versatile. In addition, their number is gradually increasing due to the construction of international terminals in all cities.
Today, the following international airport terminals operate in Ukraine:
- Lviv International Airport. This airport complex isone of the most modern and comfortable in the country. In terms of its equipment and level of comfort, it is not inferior to either Kyiv or many European airports. If you believe the numerous reviews of travelers, in terms of aesthetics, he bypassed even the UK's main airport, Heathrow.
- Odessa International Airport. One of those cases when travelers are either unhappy or consider the building an architectural monument. His problem is that the international terminal is located in a typical Soviet building. However, opposite it is the terminal of domestic airlines, and it, on the contrary, is modern and very convenient. Odessans themselves are especially dissatisfied with this state of affairs.
- Dnepropetrovsk International Airport is a true legacy of the Soviet era. It's hard to say anything good or bad about him. According to tourists, it does not stand out at all and does not cause any emotions.
- Kharkov International Airport. Outwardly, it looks unassuming. Inside, it is very cozy. In general, the air terminal complex is very compact and inferior to any metropolitan air terminal.
- International Airport Ivano-Frankivsk. A completely unusual building. The main terminal was built in neither Soviet nor European styles. The facade design is truly unique. It has an extremely compact size.
- Zaporozhye International Airport. Nothing special can be said about the appearance. Not memorable, few people like it and generally looks bad. Travelers note in reviews that the airport complex itself is small.
- Boryspil International Airport is the main air harbor of Ukraine. Located in Kyiv. This is a modern and convenient airport complex. To many travelers, it resembles Los Angeles Airport. This is especially true of the material from which part of the runway is made. In general, this is a modern complex that is not inferior to European capital airports.
This small list of airports in Ukraine is not closed and will only expand over the years.
To Russia
Crimea is a contested territory. Its state affiliation, today, causes many international disputes that can develop into real armed conflicts. Being part of Ukraine, the main air terminal of the Crimea was the Ukrainian airport Simferopol, located in the city of the same name.
According to passengers, it was an undeveloped air terminal complex. It could be called modern with a very big stretch. The old Soviet building of the passenger terminal, the old runway and other attributes of the logistical decline. Ukraine did not care about the well-being of Crimea and did not try to make the airport more convenient and attractive.
Now it's Russia
In 2014, as a result of a referendum, Crimea was included in the Russian Federation. It was the will of the people. Perhaps even the most honest in the entire post-Soviet history. The presence on the peninsula of a huge number of armed formations, without identification marks, military equipment did not affectin the opinion of the Crimeans. Local residents saw how Crimea slowly collapsed, and blamed the Ukrainian authorities for this. With the advent of Russia, large-scale construction began throughout the peninsula. In an effort not to disappoint the locals, Russia has allocated incredible money to the peninsula, and it was also decided to reconstruct the Ukrainian airport in Simferopol.
Although this can hardly be called a reconstruction. The passenger terminal was rebuilt. Now it is a beautiful and modern building worthy of being considered an international passenger terminal. Almost the entire infrastructure of the airport complex, including the runway, was also updated. Passengers from Russia and other CIS countries have already left a lot of positive feedback about the new terminal.
Donetsk
Today, Ukraine has regions that are captured by a long civil war. During the years of hostilities, the entire strategic infrastructure was seriously damaged. This is especially true of the Ukrainian airport Donetsk. It is currently not working. It can be said that it no longer exists. For a long time, the airport was a strategic point for which fierce battles were fought. It was fired upon by both sides of the conflict. After massive shelling by howitzers and rocket artillery, only ruins remained of the air terminal complex that cannot be restored.
Opening hours
The schedule of Ukrainian airports directly depends on flights. Terminals operate around the clock, without breaks and weekends. However, flights operate at different times. This is especially true for charter carriers, because they do not have a permanent schedule at all.
