On 21 April 2025, an aircraft using the call sign WELCOME was spotted in the skies above Lviv, Ukraine. Unidentified in the Flightradar24 database at the time and operating between 5,000 and 10,000 feet, speculation grew about the identity of the aircraft and the nature of the flight.
What we know
Based on visual evidence from planespotters in the area and statements by the Ukrainian Air Force, we now know that the aircraft is a Ukrainian Air Force Antonov AN-26, similar to the aircraft pictured below.
What we think we know
Based on the flight paths from 21 and 22 April, we believe these to be navigation aid test and calibration flights. These types of flights are commonly used to ensure the accuracy of ground based navigation aids, like VOR/DME beacons or Instrument Landing Systems.
An aircraft with the same WELCOME call sign also operated similar flights in and around Kyiv in late November-early December 2021. The plot of those flights is shown below.
What we don’t know
We don’t know if these flights might herald the reopening of Lviv International Airport. In mid-March, the director of the airport spoke optimistically about a possible reopening by May. Multiple airlines, including Wizz Air, Air Baltic, Ryanair, SkyUp, LOT, and Lufthansa Group airlines have expressed interest in returning to Ukraine when it is possible to do so.
We also don’t know if more flights are planned for this week or in the future. You can keep your eyes on the skies near Lviv or set an alert for the call sign WELCOME.
8 Responses
yeah I sawit and its so weird to think about what plane it was and am going to watch the playback
Typical route check flights. These are required to certify instrument SID, STAR and IAP procedures. Looks like they start with departure to DME Arc, to DME Arc to final approach to MAP and fix, to alternate airport another DME or radar directed 25° bank STAR to IAF, RNAV approach to MAP.
FAA at KOKC do route and IAP check flights nearly everyday throughout the country. They have about 25-30 route check N1 through N25 registration number turboprop and turbine aircraft. You will see similar patterns.
Very diplomatic and comforting..
I think it’s making a sign
Sounds like a solid and professional reaction to the many rumors that meanwhile have flooded the press, especially in (Western) Ukraine. Well done.
It then does debunk the different messages about the Swedish Saab spy plane 😉
Yes I saw it while explaining the app to my aviation students ,,, hope the Ukrainian skies will be opened soon for the world!
A very similar Ukrainian registered plane flew into Stansted Airport within the last year or so, I took a picture of it, the livery of it was red and blue and had ‘Cavok’ on the tail plane. I remember it at the time as being very unusual type of Aircraft.
That will be an Antonov An-12. Cavok are a Ukrainian cargo carrier with a fleet of about six An-12s which I believe are used to ferry car parts around Europe. They often come into BHX.