Warsaw Chopin Airport
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| Warsaw Chopin Airport | |
|---|---|
| Name | Warsaw Chopin Airport |
| IATA | WAW |
| ICAO | EPWA |
| Owner | Polish Airports State Enterprise |
| Operator | Polish Airports State Enterprise |
| City-served | Warsaw |
| Location | Warsaw |
| Hub | * LOT Polish Airlines * Enter Air * Smartwings Poland |
| Metric-elev | 110 |
| Elevation-f | 361 |
| Coordinates | 52, 09, 57, N... |
| Website | http://www.lotnisko-chopina.pl |
| Pushpin label | WAW |
| Metric-rwy | 2,800 |
| R1-number | 11/29 |
| R1-length-f | 9,186 |
| R1-length-m | 2,800 |
| R1-surface | Asphalt |
| Stat-year | 2023 |
| Stat1-header | Passengers |
| Stat1-data | 18,860,000 |
| Stat2-header | Aircraft movements |
| Stat2-data | 163,000 |
| Footnotes | Source: Polish AIP at EUROCONTROL, Statistics from Polish Airports State Enterprise |
Warsaw Chopin Airport. It is the primary and busiest international airport in Poland, serving the capital city of Warsaw. Located in the Włochy district, approximately 10 kilometres southwest of the city centre, it functions as a major hub for LOT Polish Airlines and a key gateway to Central and Eastern Europe. The airport is named after the renowned Polish composer Frédéric Chopin and is a critical component of the nation's transport infrastructure.
History
The airport's origins trace back to 1924 when the Ministry of Communications selected the site for a new civil airport, initially named Warsaw–Okęcie Airport. The first terminal opened in 1934, with early services operated by carriers like LOT. During the Second World War, the facility was used as a military airfield by the Luftwaffe and later by the Red Army. After the war, it was rebuilt and expanded under the Polish People's Republic, with a new central terminal opening in 1969. Following the fall of communism in Poland, the airport was renamed in 2001 to honour Frédéric Chopin. Major redevelopment culminated in the opening of the modern Terminal A in 2015, designed by the British firm Pascall+Watson.
Terminals and facilities
The airport operates from a single integrated passenger terminal complex, divided into designated areas. The main check-in and arrivals hall is in Terminal A, which handles all Schengen Area flights. Non-Schengen flights are processed through the adjacent areas, with dedicated piers and gates equipped with jet bridges. Key facilities include the Executive Lounge operated by LOT Polish Airlines, numerous retail outlets, and a variety of dining options. The airport features two parallel runways, with the primary runway 11/29 capable of handling large aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Cargo operations are supported by facilities used by companies such as DHL Aviation and FedEx Express.
Airlines and destinations
As the main hub for the national carrier LOT Polish Airlines, the airport offers the most extensive network of connections to cities across Poland, Europe, North America, and Asia. Other significant scheduled carriers include Lufthansa, Air France, KLM, and Ryanair. It also serves as a base for charter airlines like Enter Air and Smartwings Poland. Prominent long-haul destinations include New York, Chicago, Toronto, Seoul, and Tokyo. The airport connects to over 100 destinations worldwide, facilitating travel for passengers from across the Visegrád Group region.
Statistics
Warsaw Chopin Airport is the busiest airport in Poland and one of the busiest in Central Europe. In 2023, it handled approximately 18.86 million passengers, representing a significant recovery post-COVID-19 pandemic. The same year saw around 163,000 aircraft movements. Prior to the pandemic, in 2019, it served a record 18.86 million passengers. The airport consistently ranks highly in regional passenger traffic reports compiled by Airports Council International. The top international routes typically include destinations like London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam.
Ground transportation
The airport is well-connected to Warsaw and the surrounding region via multiple transport modes. The Warsaw Commuter Railway provides a direct rail link to Warsaw Central railway station in approximately 25 minutes. Public bus services, operated by Zarząd Transportu Miejskiego w Warszawie, connect to various city districts and the Warsaw Metro. Numerous taxi companies and app-based ride services like Uber are available. For private vehicles, the airport is directly accessible from the Expressway S2 and National Road 7, leading to the A2 motorway. Several car rental agencies, including Hertz and Avis, operate on-site.
Accidents and incidents
The airport has experienced several notable aviation incidents throughout its history. A significant accident occurred in 1980 when a LOT Polish Airlines Ilyushin Il-62 crashed during an approach, resulting in the loss of all 87 people on board, including the American boxer Teofilo Stevenson. In 1993, a LOT Polish Airlines ATR 72 experienced a landing gear failure upon landing, but there were no fatalities. More recently, in 2011, a Boeing 767 operated by LOT Polish Airlines made an emergency landing due to a hydraulic system issue, with all passengers and crew evacuated safely. These events have contributed to ongoing enhancements in the airport's air traffic control and emergency response protocols.
Category:Airports in Poland Category:Buildings and structures in Warsaw Category:Transport in Warsaw