TRANSPORTATION MANAGEMENT IN THE AVIATION SUPPLY CHAIN: CURRENT CHALLENGES AND DEVELOPMENT PROSPECTS

Abstract

The article examines the transformation of transportation management within Ukraine’s aviation supply chain under the conditions of full-scale war and severe restrictions on national airspace. The Russian military aggression and the ongoing closure of Ukraine’s airspace for civil aviation since February 2022 have compelled national logistics operators to fundamentally revise transport strategies and develop alternative logistics channels through international cooperation. Particular attention is paid to the strategic reconfiguration of air transportation routes via neighboring countries such as Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary. These alternative routes are analyzed in terms of their operational complexity, increased transportation costs, legal and customs challenges, and infrastructure limitations. The study identifies and systematizes key destabilizing factors affecting the performance of aviation logistics management, including limited access to domestic aviation hubs, regulatory fragmentation, shortage of qualified logistics personnel, lack of investment, and underdeveloped digital monitoring systems. In this context, the article proposes five priority areas for modernization: integration with EU border logistics infrastructure, implementation of unified digital platforms for data exchange and real-time monitoring, harmonization of transport regulations, establishment of cross-border aviation logistics hubs, and reform of professional training and education in the sector. Based on a comprehensive analysis, the study substantiates the need for a strategic paradigm shift—from reactive crisis-oriented models to proactive, innovation-driven, and resilient aviation logistics strategies. The study contributes to the academic discourse by systematizing the destabilizing factors caused by geopolitical disruptions and offering an original framework of five strategic priorities for improving supply chain resilience. These priorities include integration with EU border infrastructure, the adoption of digital platforms for logistics monitoring, regulatory harmonization, the creation of cross-border logistics hubs, and the modernization of sectoral education and training. The conclusions emphasize that international cooperation, regulatory convergence, investment attraction, and digital transformation are critical to ensuring the future competitiveness and sustainability of Ukraine’s air transportation supply chain within European and global networks.