In the modern world, all large cities with a decent population have their own air stations. As shown by long-term statistics and the growing popularity of air travel - people are much more likely to use air transport if they do not need to go to another city to only one station. For this reason, all over the world they are trying to build the necessary infrastructure even in small cities. Ukrainian airports are of interest to historians and architects with managers. This is a whole layer of a clear example of diffusion between the Soviet and sovereign periods.
Style difference
In the Soviet Union, the construction concept was widely used, excluding the aesthetic factor for the sake of practicality. Indeed, building practical buildings is quite convenient. In addition, there are no "extra" architectural manifestations. For someone, this approach will seem extremely interesting. Indeed, if you look at him from only one side, he has no shortcomings. In practice, almost all Ukrainian airports built under the Soviet Union have a completely disgusting appearance.
The style of that era is simply impossible not to recognize. A standard gray or white standard design building. Waiting rooms that are similar to each other, not only within the station, but also throughout the country. In such air harbors do not want to be long. When the eye has nothing to catch on, and the finish 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 transform. This is especially true of the western part of Ukraine. It is she who is closest to Europe. Observing the neighbors' experience, they began to build air terminals not according to standard designs, 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 even want to walk around, visit all the floors, look at large panoramic windows for a long time.
Three types of airports
Air stations, unlike railway and bus, are of several types. They are determined by which flights of them are operated. In poor countries, one or two species open up. Most often - one, but combining all the negative manifestations. There is nothing to be done about it, saving and universal unification always led to a violation of the aesthetic and even practical components. Airports in Ukraine no longer welcome unification. We can say that the construction of terminals for various purposes, solves many problems.
Large and expensive terminals are combined type buildings. 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 airlines operate only on local flights. This also affects the fleet. Basically there are short-haul and medium-haul liners based. And the types of ships also differ in turbojet and turboprops. In small cities, you can often find a turboprop fleet of aircraft.
Exceptionally, international airports are no longer being built; they were replaced by specialized passenger terminals. However, they can still be found in the eastern part of the country.
Ukraine International Airports
Many stations, which are called international, actually belong to the combined form and are extremely versatile. In addition, their number is gradually increasing due to the construction of international terminals in all cities.
To date, Ukraine has the following international airports:
- Lviv International Airport. This airport complex is one of the most modern and comfortable in the country. In terms of equipment and level of comfort, it is not inferior to either Kiev or many European airports. If you believe the numerous reviews of travelers, in terms of aesthetics, he even went around the main UK airport, Heathrow.
- Odessa International Airport. One of those cases when travelers are either unhappy or consider the building a monument of architecture. Its problem is that the international terminal is located in a typical Soviet building. However, opposite it stands the terminal of domestic airlines, and it, on the contrary, is modern and very convenient. Odessa residents themselves are particularly dissatisfied with this state of affairs.
- Dnepropetrovsk International Airport is a real heritage of the Soviet era. It’s hard to say anything good or bad about him. According to tourists, it does not stand out and does not cause any emotions.
- Kharkiv International Airport. Outwardly it looks unpretentious. Inside, it is very cozy. In general, the airport complex is very compact and inferior to any metropolitan airport terminal.
- International Airport Ivano-Frankivsk. A completely unusual building. The main terminal is 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. It is not remembered, few people like it and generally look bad. Travelers note in reviews that the airport complex itself is small.
- Boryspil International Airport is the main air harbor of Ukraine. Located in Kiev. 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 the European capital airports.
This small list of Ukrainian airports is not closed and will only expand over the years.
To Russia
Crimea is a contested territory. Its nationality, today, causes many international disputes that can escalate into real armed conflicts. Being a part of Ukraine, the main airport of Crimea was the Ukrainian airport Simferopol, located in the city of the same name.
According to passengers, it was an undeveloped airport 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 material and technical decline. Ukraine did not care about the welfare of Crimea and did not try to make the airport more convenient and attractive.
Now it is Russia
In 2014, as a result of a referendum, Crimea was included in the Russian Federation. It was a popular expression of will. 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 affect the opinion of Crimeans. Local residents saw the Crimea slowly collapsing, and the Ukrainian authorities blamed it. With the advent of Russia, large-scale construction unfolded throughout the peninsula. In an effort not to disappoint local residents, Russia 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 managed to leave a lot of positive feedback about the new terminal.
Donetsk
Today, as part of Ukraine, there are regions that are captured by a prolonged civil war. Over the years of hostilities, the entire strategic infrastructure has been severely damaged. This is especially true of the Ukrainian airport Donetsk. It is currently not working. We can say that it no longer exists. For a long time, the airport was a strategic point for which fierce battles were fought. He was bombarded by both sides of the conflict. After massive shelling by howitzers and rocket artillery from the airport complex, only ruins remained that could not be restored.
Working hours
The schedule of Ukrainian airports is directly dependent on flights. The terminals operate around the clock, without breaks and weekends. However, flights are made at different times. This is especially true for charter carriers, because they generally do not have a permanent schedule.