Over 5 million passengers served with 101 routes and 20 carriers last year. Return of the connection to Chicago. New carriers: EL AL and Ukraine International Airlines. A route to Dubai announced.
Radosław Włoszek, President of the Management Board for Kraków Airport:
“Małopolska and Kraków attract people. This is confirmed by the structure of passenger traffic. It would not be possible without the 28 new routes, including five to new countries: United States, Portugal, Czech Republic, Morocco and Ukraine. Many residents of Małopolska were pleased with the return of a direct connection to Chicago. Our passengers are also increasingly inclined to use the more and more appealing and diverse offer of regular connections to sunny holiday destinations”.
Meetings with local residents, the next phase of a new runway construction project, announcement of a Master Plan for Kraków-Balice airport, starting renovation work in the oldest part of the apron. Opening of Aviation Education Centre, a unique institution in Europe – these are Kraków Airport’s last year’s highlights.
“The airport is a part of the region and contributes to its dynamic development. We need to build a new runway and the Master Plan announced last year shows how the airport is going to change over the next 20 years. I am convinced that cooperation and dialogue, aimed also at improving the infrastructure around the airport, are necessary”– Radosław Włoszek, President of the Management Board for Kraków Airport.
Forecasts and plans for 2018
In 2018, the airport is going to face further tasks aimed at maintaining such a diversified network of connections. The most important challenge of the coming years is the construction of a runway. Kraków Airport’s forecasts say that in 2018 the airport will serve 6.4 million passengers. There will be a new carrier – flydubai. In 2018, carriers will launch three new connections: flyDubai – to Dubai; Ryanair – to Burgas and Amman, Jet2.com – to Leeds Bradford, Norwegian – to Helsinki, and LOT – to Budapest. The routes for the winter season 2018/2019 will be announced in summer 2018. Moreover, this year, the frequency of direct flights will increase, among others, between Kraków and Chicago – up to two a week. There will be also a significant increase in the number of flights to Warsaw – 8 departures a day, to Frankfurt – 5 departures a day, or to Amsterdam – 3 departures a day.
Key investments in 2018 include: continuing the new runway construction project and renovation work in the oldest part of the apron. Building rainwater drainage, water supply and sanitary sewage collection infrastructure, and construction of a part of the apron. A concept for the expansion of the passenger terminal will be developed, including the construction of a western pier, which will be an extension of the main passenger terminal hall, and design work to move the cargo terminal to a new location will start. More amenities for passengers will be introduced in 2018, including self-service bag drop-off. There will be new playgrounds and entertainment zones for passengers.
