Poland's Commercial Airports: A Comprehensive Overview

Poland has many airports, both international and domestic, which facilitate seamless travel for business travellers and tourists alike. The country's capital, Warsaw, is equipped with two major airports: Chopin Airport (Okęcie) and Modlin Airport. In addition to these, there are several other airports in Poland, including those in Krakow, Gdańsk, Wrocław, Poznań, and Katowice. Poland currently has over 112 airports, with 12 international airports, 83 small airports, and 22 medium-sized airports.

Warsaw Chopin Airport

There are 15 commercial airports in Poland, with Warsaw Chopin Airport being the largest and busiest. It is also one of the largest in Central Europe.

History

Terminals and Check-In

The airport has one main terminal, divided into two: Terminal A, which contains 116 check-in desks, and a new terminal, Terminal 2, which was completed in 2015. Terminal A is divided into five check-in areas (A, B, C, D, and E) in two main halls. There are 45 passenger gates, 27 of which are equipped with jetways.

Airlines and Destinations

Transport Links

The airport is located in the Włochy district of Warsaw, approximately 10km (6.21 miles) from the city centre. It can be accessed by train, local buses, or taxi. A rail link was built to connect the airport to the city centre, with trains running every 15 minutes.

Kraków John Paul II International Airport

There are several commercial airports in Poland, including Warsaw Chopin Airport, Kraków John Paul II International Airport, Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport, and Katowice Wojciech Korfanty Airport.

The airport is the second busiest in the country, serving over 9.4 million passengers in 2023. It has two passenger terminals, Terminal 1 for international flights and Terminal 2 for domestic services, as well as a cargo terminal. The airport has a single runway, paved with concrete, and is operated by John Paul II Krakow-Balice International Airport Ltd.

The construction of the airport started in 1964, and it opened for civil aviation in 1967. It was a military site until 28 February 1968, and the first passenger terminal was built in 1972. The airport has undergone several developments and modernisations since then, with the latest terminal being completed in December 2016.

Kraków Airport offers various ground transportation options, including train, bus, taxi, and car rental services. It also provides facilities such as nursing mother stations, ATMs, currency exchange, restaurants, and shops.

Airlines and Destinations

A variety of airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights at Kraków Airport, offering connections to numerous destinations across Europe and beyond. Some of the busiest routes from Kraków Airport include Warsaw, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, and Chicago.

Access and Transportation

Kraków Airport is easily accessible by train, with the airport train station located near the passenger terminal. The train is the fastest way to travel to and from the city centre, taking approximately 18 minutes. Bus services are also available, with three regular bus lines serving the airport. Additionally, taxi services and car rental options are provided for added convenience.

Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport

Poland has 15 of the largest airports, including Warsaw Chopin Airport, Kraków John Paul II International Airport, and Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport. This airport, located 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) northwest of Gdańsk, is the focus of this summary.

The airport provides convenient ground transportation options, including bus connections to nearby cities such as Gdańsk-Centre and Sopot, as well as rail connections via the Pomorska Kolej Metropolitalna (PKM) to Wrzeszcz, Gdynia Główna railway station, and downtown Gdańsk. Several car rental companies, taxi services, and parking lots are also available for passengers.

Katowice Wojciech Korfanty Airport

There are several commercial airports in Poland, including Warsaw Chopin Airport, Kraków John Paul II International Airport, Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport, Poznań–Ławica Henryk Wieniawski Airport, and Katowice Wojciech Korfanty Airport.

The airport has three passenger terminals (A, B, and C) and a cargo terminal. Terminal A is for non-Schengen departures, Terminal B is for Schengen departures, and Terminal C handles all arrivals. Terminal B was completed in 2007 and underwent a significant expansion between 2019 and 2021. The terminals can collectively handle approximately 8 million passengers annually. The airport's concrete runway, measuring 3200 metres by 45 metres, is the second-longest in Poland and can accommodate large aircraft like the Boeing 747 and Boeing 777.

Katowice Airport offers a range of charter, regular, and cargo flights. It serves long-haul destinations such as Varadero in Cuba, Bangkok in Thailand, Cancún in Mexico, and Malé in the Maldives. It is Poland's only airport with more than one passenger terminal and has the tallest Air Traffic Control Tower in the country. The airport serves the most industrialised region in Poland and has a large catchment area, with an estimated 13 million inhabitants living within a 100-kilometre radius.

The airport has seen continuous development and expansion since the 1990s. Future plans include the construction of a new passenger terminal, further expansion of the cargo terminal, and improvements to rail connections.

Poznań–Ławica Henryk Wieniawski Airport

Poland has several commercial airports, including Warsaw Chopin Airport, Kraków John Paul II International Airport, Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport, and Poznań–Ławica Henryk Wieniawski Airport. This airport, located 5 kilometres west of Poznań city centre, is one of the oldest in Poland, having been built in 1913.

The prospect of relocating Poznań–Ławica Henryk Wieniawski Airport is often discussed due to the flight path being directly over the city. The airport has also been confused with the nearby Poznań–Krzesiny Airbase by pilots, with similar runway orientations and Krzesiny appearing first when approaching from the east. This has resulted in several incidents of aircraft landing at the military base by accident.

The airport underwent upgrades in 2012, with a new terminal that can handle up to 3.5 million passengers annually. It offers various services to enhance the passenger experience, such as Fast Track and Business Executive Lounge. Additionally, modernisation works have been initiated to increase security screening capacity and efficiency.

Frequently asked questions