The closure of the borders in mid-March and introduction of the state of epidemic threat resulted in complete suspension of commercial flights. No one, even in the worst-case scenario, expected a time when the terminal would be closed, passenger flights stopped and statistics reach the lowest level in history.
Throughout this time Kraków Airport, acting as a military airport shared by civ il aviation, remained in operational readiness due to its unique character. Despite the closed passenger terminal, the airport was still functioning and was shared with the 8th Transport Base and the Medical Air Rescue, who all the time operated flights in the defence service of the Republic of Poland as well as saving human health and life. The new reality requires joint actions to ensure safety, exchange of experience between airports through development and implementation of good practices, as well as rebuilding trust in travel. Therefore, in June, Kraków Airport as the first airport in Poland signed the “Aviation Industry Charter for COVID-19” declaration, which was initiated and prepared by the European Av iation Safety Agency (EASA). The signed declaration is a clear signal for carriers, users and passengers about the airport’s full readiness for safe operation.
SYMBOLIC DATE
June 1, 2020 will become a joyful and symbolic date for Kraków Airport. After a 2.5-month break, passenger flights were resumed. More airlines are restarting their operations, and the network of flights from Kraków Airport is slowly expanding. From July 1, more restrictions were lifted. The planes could again start flying with 100% capacity, which is an extremely important factor in the decisions of carriers regarding the reconstruction of the Kraków Airport network. The borders of the UK, an important market for Poland, Małopolska and Kraków, have been opened. As part of the #LotNaWakacje (#LotonHoliday) campaign, the national carrier PLL LOT launched 11 holiday connections from July 3. Moreover, on July 3, we inaugurated the connection to/from the Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, thus welcoming a new carrier, Air France, at Kraków Airport. Air traffic is slowly returning to Kraków Airport, giving hope that the airport will again be a vibrant place that connect people as well as many fields of science and business. We are rebuilding our connection network, thus recreating such a well-remembered image of Kraków Airport, all in accordance with the new sanitary requirements.
STATISTICS 2020
In the first half of 2020, Kraków Airport has handled 1 549 062 passengers (-59%), which is 2.258 million fewer people than in the corresponding period of the previous year.
- March 15 – closing of the borders and introduction of the state of epidemic threat resulted in complete suspension of commercial air flights; the only operations performed included repatriation, medical, government and general aviation flights.
- June 1 – domestic flights were resumed, with 50% occupancy.
- June 16 – resumption of international traffic to the countries of the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, the European Union (EU) excluding the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, Sweden and Portugal (while maintaining 50% occupancy).
- July 1 – restoring the possibility of 100% occupancy of aircraft seats, international flights can be carried out to European Economic Area (EEA) countries, Switzerland, the European Union (EU) except Sweden and Portugal; it is also possible to fly to Montenegro, Georgia, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Albania, the Republic of Korea and Ukraine.
#WEAREWITHYOU
Kraków Airport, together with subsidiaries MPL Services and Kraków Airport Hotel, was involved in the fight against the pandemic by supporting volunteers, firefighters, scouts, nuns and front-line doctors and nurses. Throughout April, every day 90 lunches for medical staff were delivered to the Stefan Żeromski Specialist Hospital and the University Hospital in Kraków. Senior citizens in nursing homes and volunteer fire brigades in the Kraków poviat were given masks, gloves and disinfectants. Help was also sent to children from the University Children’s Hospital in Prokocim.
EXTRAORDINARY CELEBRATION
This time also brought an opportunity to celebrate. On May 18, the 100th anniversary of the birth of Saint John Paul II, the patron of Kraków Airport, was celebrated. In the morning, balloons with papal and national flags symbolizing our memory of the patron were sent off into the air. It was also a symbol that the lack of planes in the sky was a temporary situation. A mass was held at the passenger terminal with the participation of airport employees.
#CELujzdomu
The Aviation Education Center at Kraków Airport has also adapted its activities to the new conditions. The work of the Center has moved to the Internet. As part of the #ZOOMfromhome educational campaign, knowledge of aviation is shared daily in the form of games, guesses, crosswords, experiences, trivia, tips and other surprises.
INVESTMENTS
All investment processes necessary to guarantee the safety of air operations and maintain the operational continuity of Kraków Airport are being continued. In May, with the participation of the Minister of Infrastructure – Andrzej Adamczyk, the Governor of Małopolska voivodeship – Piotr Ćwik and the Marshal of Małopolska voivodeship – Witold Kozłowski – the board of the John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice sp.z o.o. signed a contract with Max Bögl Polska sp.z o.o. for the execution of construction works in the “Design and build” system as part of the investment task “Expansion of the apron of PPS aircrafts in the western part together with accompanying infrastructure”. Thus, we began the implementation of the next stage of the General Plan, which assumes new jobs for Kraków and the entire region.
