Chopin Airport

Chopin Airport
Name	Chopin Airport
IATA	WAW
ICAO	EPWA
Owner	Polish Airports State Enterprise
Operator	Polish Airports State Enterprise
City-served	Warsaw
Location	Warsaw
Elevation-f	361
Elevation-m	110
Coordinates	52, 09, 57, N...
R1-number	11/29
R1-length-m	2,800
R1-length-f	9,186
R1-surface	Asphalt concrete
R2-number	15/33
R2-length-m	3,690
R2-length-f	12,106
R2-surface	Asphalt concrete

Chopin Airport. It is the primary and busiest international airport in Poland, serving the capital city of Warsaw. Named after the renowned composer Frédéric Chopin, the facility is a major hub for LOT Polish Airlines and a key gateway for travel to Central and Eastern Europe. The airport handles a significant portion of the country's air passenger traffic and is operated by the state-owned Polish Airports State Enterprise.

History

The airport's origins trace back to the late 1920s when the Okęcie district field was selected for a new civil airport, officially opening in 1934. Its development was interrupted by the Second World War, during which it was used as a Luftwaffe airfield and later sustained damage during the Warsaw Uprising. In the post-war era under the Polish People's Republic, it was rebuilt and expanded, with a new terminal opening in 1969 to handle the growing jet age traffic from airlines like LOT Polish Airlines. A major modernization began after the fall of communism, culminating in the opening of a new terminal complex in the 1990s; it was renamed in honor of Frédéric Chopin in 2001 to mark the city's new international profile.

Facilities

The airport's main passenger terminal is a modern complex divided into designated areas for Schengen Area and non-Schengen flights, featuring extensive duty-free shopping, lounges operated by LOT Polish Airlines and Star Alliance, and a variety of dining options. Its two parallel runways, including one of the longest in Central Europe, can accommodate a wide range of aircraft up to the size of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Boeing 777. Cargo and maintenance operations are supported by facilities for companies like DHL Aviation and LOT Aircraft Maintenance Services, while the airport also houses the Polish Air Force's 1st Air Transport Base "Warsaw" on the military side of the field.

Airlines and destinations

As the main hub for the national carrier LOT Polish Airlines, the airport offers direct flights to numerous European capitals such as London, Paris, and Berlin, as well as long-haul destinations including New York, Chicago, Toronto, and Seoul. Other significant carriers operating scheduled services include Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, Ryanair, and Wizz Air, providing connections across Europe, North America, and Asia. The airport also serves as a focus city for Enter Air and sees seasonal charter flights operated by Travel Service Airlines.

Statistics

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the airport consistently handled over 18 million passengers annually, making it the busiest in Poland and among the top in Central Europe. It serves as the leading airport for cargo traffic in the country, facilitated by integrators like DHL Aviation and UPS Airlines. The top international routes typically include destinations like London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam, with LOT Polish Airlines commanding the largest market share of operations.

Ground transportation

The airport is directly connected to Warsaw city centre by both the Warsaw Commuter Railway and public bus services, with the journey taking approximately 25 minutes. The A2 motorway and Warsaw ring road provide direct road access for private cars and taxis, while several rental car agencies, including Hertz and Avis, operate on-site. Plans for a direct Warsaw Metro link have been discussed for years as part of the city's broader transport infrastructure development.

Accidents and incidents

The airport has witnessed several notable aviation events, including the 1980 crash of LOT Polish Airlines Flight 007, where all passengers and crew perished after an engine failure shortly after takeoff. In 1993, LOT Polish Airlines Flight 703 made a successful forced landing in a field following icing issues, with no fatalities. A more recent serious incident occurred in 2011 when LOT Polish Airlines Flight 16 safely landed with its landing gear retracted after a hydraulic system failure, an event later dramatized in the *Mayday* television series.

Category:Airports in Poland Category:Buildings and structures in Warsaw Category:Transport in Warsaw