Air transport in Poland has a history reaching over 90 years. The first air route linking Poland with world had been inaugurated in 1920. Nine years later LOT Polish Airlines launched its operations. However, probably the most important turning points in the history of the Polish aviation market was its liberalization associated with Poland’s accession to the European Union in May 2004. As a consequence of liberalization, the Polish market has undergone a huge transformation. In 2012 Polish airports served 3,5 times more passengers than in 2003 and the growth was more than 17 million passengers. To present a comparison, it is worth mentioning that in 2002 only 4 million passengers travelled by air than 1993.
At present, Polish market logs again increases after a sharp fall in 2009 caused by the crisis. In 2012 Polish airports served 12,5% more passengers in comparison to previous year, which was a very good result, both in European and World perspective.
Passenger traffic and traffic dynamics between 1993 and 2012
Source: CAA of Republic of Poland
The dynamic development was a result of the offer of services by new carriers on the Polish market. It is worth to note that in 2003 only five carriers had a Polish operating license and in 2013 this number increased to 20. Revolutionary changes on the Polish aviation market have occurred also as a result of the entry of foreign EU air carriers. Especially low-cost carriers have played a crucial role. Their participation in scheduled traffic increased from a marginal level in 2003 to around 50% between 2007 and 2012.
The biggest beneficiaries of the liberalization of the Polish aviation market (in the geographical context) were regions located away from Warsaw, the capital of Poland. Although in 2012 Warsaw airports managed to serve 100% more passengers than in 2003, in regional airports this number has increased 7 times. Also the number of international scheduled routes from regional airports has increased from 20 in 2003 to 200 in 2013. As a result, while in 1993 regional traffic had been constituting just over 10%, recently it has reached almost 60%.
Regional airports market share
Source: CAA of Republic of Poland
At the end, it is also important to note that two new airports have recently started their business in Poland. Moreover, two more airports are at the final stage of the projects.