Katowice Airport

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Use dmy dates Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Katowice Wojciech Korfanty Airport (Template:Langx) (Template:Comma separated entries) is an international airport, located in Pyrzowice, Script error: No such module "convert". north of Katowice, Poland. The airport is named after Wojciech Korfanty, a politician of the early years of Polish independence. It is the fourth-busiest airport in Poland by passenger volumes, with 5.6 million passengers in 2023.[1] It is also the second-busiest airport in the country by cargo volume[2] and the largest origin of charter flights in Poland.[3]

History

Early years

Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The current location of Katowice Airport was initially used by the German air force. In 1940, the Luftwaffe began construction of an airbase in the meadows around Pyrzowice. Three stone and concrete airstrips were built, with the runway lengths varying between 1,000 to 1,500 meters, and around 50 meters wide. The airbase was used for handling of military aircraft flying from the inner part of the German Reich, carrying supplies to troops on the Eastern Front.In the final phase of World War II, the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet rocket-powered aircraft were tested here. Following General Ernst Udet's (a Luftwaffe flying ace) death in 1941, the airfield was named Udetfeld.

After the Red Army's advance in early 1945, the Soviet air forces gained the control of the airfield. In the early 1950s, the Soviets handed the airbase over to the Polish Air Force. It was then used by the 39th Fighter Regiment, created on 17 April 1951.

A new runway was built in 1964. Soon after, the first-ever regular passenger traffic started, with a LOT Polish Airlines place taking off for Warsaw on October 6m 1966. By the end of 1969, a small passenger terminal was built (550 m2), together with a taxiway and an apron.

This runway has since been replaced by a new adjacent one (3,200m), completed in May 2015.

Development since the 1990s

In 1991, Górnośląskie Towarzystwo Lotnicze (The Upper Silesian Aviation Group) was established and in 1994, it became the operator of Pyrzowice Airport. International service from Pyrzowice commenced on March 27, 1993, when Lufthansa started its daily service to Frankfurt Airport.

Poland's admission to the European Union has supercharged airport's growth. The Hungarian low-cost airline WizzAir chose Katowice for its first base, with their inaugural flight taking off for London Luton.[4] Other low-cost airlines, as well as charter airlines, followed. In 2007, a second terminal (Terminal B) for Schengen flights opened, and in 2015 an arrivals-only Terminal C was completed. Also in 2015, a new runway, which is the second-longest runway in Poland at 3,200 meters, was completed.

Future plans include the construction of a completely new passenger terminal, a further expansion of the recently built cargo terminal, and a new railway connection.[5]

Facilities

Terminals

There are three passenger terminals: A (non-Schengen departures), B (Schengen departures), and C (all arrivals), as well as a cargo terminal. Terminal B has been completed in 2007 and underwent a major expansion in 2019-21. Altogether, terminals at Katowice Airport are capable of handling about 8.0 million passengers annually.[6]

In 2024, the airport's owner announced plans for another airport expansion which would allow Katowice Airport to handle up to 12 million passengers per year and double cargo volumes by 2028.[7]

Runway and apron

The airport's concrete runway is 3200m by 45m, oriented 8 and 26, and can accommodate aircraft as large as Boeing 747 or Boeing 777, albeit not at MTOW.[8] Heavy transports such as Antonov An-124[9] or An-225[10][11] have been noted to land there on occasions. The airport uses new generation Instrument Landing System, a Thales 420 system.[12] The runway at Katowice Airport is the second longest runway in Poland, behind Warsaw Chopin's runway 15/33. 33 new aircraft stands are under construction as of now. They will be located between taxiways E (Echo) and H (Hotel), to the west from main apron, between main and cargo apron and to the east from cargo apron.

The airport has two plane spotter stands, one at the western end of the airport's runway. The platforms are free to access.[13]

Air traffic control tower

The new ATC tower has been already built. It is the tallest ATC in Poland and in Eastern Europe, at 46 meters height.[14]

Aircraft maintenance facilities

Wizz Air, which has a base at the airport, is the primary operator of two maintenance buildings at Katowice Airport and services their Airbus A321neo fleet there.[15] Linetech, an aircraft maintenance contractor, operates two other buildings and services Embraer E190 jets.

Other facilities

The airport owns three parking lots with 4,348 parking spaces in total. Parking lots P1 and P2 (948 spaces) are located right next to the terminal and focused on shorter-term parking while parking lot P3 is located further away and dedicated to long-term parking. A free shuttle runs from parking lot P3 to the terminals. There are also multiple other, privately-owned parking lots near the airport. In 2023, a train station with limited train service has been opened.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

There is also a Moxy Hotel, a brand by Marriott International, located right next to the main parking entrance (P1).

Airlines and destinations

Passenger

The following airlines operate regular scheduled and charter flights to and from Katowice:

Template:Airport-dest-list

Cargo

Template:Airport-dest-list

Statistics

Busiest routes

File:Katowice - Pyżowice - wieża kontroli lotów.jpg
Control tower
Busiest Routes from Katowice Airport (2024) [16]
Rank Airport Passengers Change 2023 / 24
1. Template:Flagdeco Antalya (AYT) 641,982 Increase 10,2%
2. Template:Flagdeco Dortmund (DTM) 435,815 Increase 12,0%
3. Template:Flagdeco Hurghada (HRG) 362,670 Increase 28,1%
4. Template:Flagdeco Marsa Alam (RMF) 270,822 Increase 40,3%
5. Template:Flagdeco London-Luton (LTN) 243,011 Decrease 0,8%
6. Template:Flagdeco London-Stansted (STN) 198,745 Increase 6,7%
7. Template:Flagdeco Djerba (DJE) 138,673 Increase 50,3%
8. Template:Flagdeco Catania (CTA) 136,775 Increase 96,6%
9. Template:Flagdeco Frankfurt (FRA) 122,913 Increase 6,6%
10. Template:Flagdeco Warsaw-Chopin (WAW) 121,161 Increase 4,1%
11. Template:Flagdeco Eindhoven (EIN) 120,407 Steady 0,0%
12. Template:Flagdeco Larnaca (LCA) 118,982 Increase 20,6%
13. Template:Flagdeco Athens (ATH) 118,333 Increase 11,0%
14. Template:Flagdeco Sharm El Sheikh (SSH) 115,050 Increase 53,4%
15. Template:Flagdeco Heraklion (HER) 111,865 Increase 19,6%
16. Template:Flagdeco Tenerife-South (TFS) 110,815 Increase 37,3%
17. Template:Flagdeco Barcelona–El Prat (BCN) 106,530 Increase 28,9%
18. Template:Flagdeco Malta (MLA) 103,376 Increase 96,8%
19. Template:Flagdeco Bergamo (BGY) 102,499 Increase 43,9%
20. Template:Flagdeco Rhodes (RHO) 100,609 Increase 3,4%

Passenger figures

Year[17][18] Passengers Air operations Cargo (tonnes)
1996 Increase 68,203 Increase 3,586 Increase 596
1997 Increase 101,054 Increase 4,290 Increase 1,241
1998 Increase 150,724 Increase 6,256 Increase 1,365
1999 Increase 170,230 Increase 6,510 Increase 1,522
2000 Decrease 168,126 Increase 8,710 Increase 7,745
2001 Increase 180,015 Increase 9,441 Decrease 2,196
2002 Increase 202,267 Decrease 8,389 Increase 2,886
2003 Increase 257,991 Increase 9,375 Increase 3,548
2004 Increase 622,612 Increase 13,803 Increase 5,038
2005 Increase 1,092,358 Increase 16,222 Increase 5,636
2006 Increase 1,458,411 Increase 21,014 Increase 6,113
2007 Increase 1,995,914 Increase 24,489 Increase 7,795
2008 Increase 2,426,942 Increase 27,030 Increase 12,703
2009 Decrease 2,364,613 Decrease 26,206 Decrease 6,543
2010 Increase 2,403,253 Increase 26,770 Increase 11,195
2011 Increase 2,544,124 Increase 29,259 Increase 12,138
2012 Increase 2,550,848 Increase 30,584 Decrease 10,546
2013 Increase 2,554,198 Decrease 28,990 Increase 10,877
2014 Increase 2,695,732 Decrease 28,771 Increase 16,269
2015 Increase 3,069,279 Increase 31,727 Decrease 16,119
2016 Increase 3,221,261 Decrease 31,013 Increase 17,674
2017 Increase 3,892,941 Increase 34,725 Increase 17,779
2018 Increase 4,838,149 Increase 41,007 Increase 18,547
2019 Increase 4,843,889 Increase 41,606 Increase 20,121
2020 Decrease 1,445,781 Decrease 21,922 Increase 20,369
2021 Increase 2,328,973 Increase 28,856 Increase 32,104
2022 Increase 4,419,090 Increase 40,123 Increase 40,642
2023 Increase 5,609,022 Increase 45,167 Decrease 35,926
2024 Increase 6,386,145 Increase 48,505 Increase 37,175

Ground transportation

By car

The airport is accessible to/from Katowice and other cities of the region like Częstochowa, Kraków, Opole, Gliwice, Kielce, Oświęcim, Tychy via Expressway S1, national road 86, A4 motorway, national road 94, national road 78 and A1 motorway. The airport is also served by taxis, Uber and iTaxi. The airport offers 3,922 parking spaces.[19] There is also premium parking at Katowice International Airport. Car rentals are available.[20]

By bus

  • MetropoliaZTM[21] is the public transport operator in this area. It operates lines to nearby cities. AP goes directly to Katowice, it stops only at a few stops in Katowice (45min to the main railway station). M11 is a slower bus to Katowice (70min) via Sączów, Wojkowice, Siemianowice Śląskie. M14 to Gliwice via Tarnowskie Góry. M19 to Sosnowiec via Będzin. M116/M16 are direct buses to Gliwice via Piekary Śląskie, Bytom and Zabrze (note: its number changes in Piekary Śląskie). A one-way ticket is 6,60PLN (for 90min with unlimited changes or for the whole route of the bus). A 40-minute ticket costs 5,60PLN. You can also buy tickets using mobile apps. There is a group ticket for 5 people for 13PLN (for 90min with changes or for the whole route of the bus). A one-day ticket day is 12PLN (valid until midnight).

There is also a 24 hour ticket for 24PLN, this ticket also allows you to travel in regional (commuter) trains in the area.

Bus stops are next to Terminal C and Terminal B. They are about 10 metres from the terminal entrance.

By rail

File:Przystanek kolejowy Pyrzowice Lotnisko, 24 czerwca 2024.jpg
Pyrzowice Airport railway stop

In December 2023 the airport gained a rail link to Tarnowskie Góry and Zawiercie, which allows direct trains running from the airport to Katowice. The stop for the airport terminal is called ”Pyrzowice Lotnisko” and is located approx. 500 metres from passenger terminals, to which leads an asphalt pavement. The station is covered with a roof and adapted to the needs of persons with disabilities.[29]

As of January 2025, trains run on the route: Częstochowa – Częstochowa Raków – Poraj – Myszków – Zawiercie – Poręba – Siewierz – Mierzęcice – Pyrzowice Lotnisko (Katowice Airport) – Miasteczko Śląskie Centrum – Tarnowskie Góry[30]

There will be a direct connection to Katowice and other Silesian cities, after the Katowice railway station rail road reconstruction is finished.[31]

The airport rail yard will also include the railway track connecting Katowice Airport with the CMK High Speed Main Line via line no. 182 Zawiercie - Tarnowskie Góry. This project has received funding from the European Union. According to the schedule, the finished infrastructure will be put into service no later than June 2026.[32]

Accidents and incidents

  • On 27 October 2007, a Boeing 737-800 chartered by the UN destroyed dozens of approach and landing lights whilst making a low approach.[33] No passengers were injured, but the approach lights were out of service for three weeks.
  • On 12 March 2013, Travel Service Flight 7137, a Boeing 737, overran the runway while landing in snowy weather just before 19:00, its nose wheel getting stuck approximately 3 feet deep into the soft ground 20 metres beyond the runway. None of the 176 passengers and 6 crew suffered any injuries, but the airport was closed until 17:00 the next day until the aircraft was recovered and taxied away.[34]
  • On 5 July 2014 Lufthansa Flight 1360, operated by Lufthansa Cityline landed on the new runway, then under construction. No passengers ended up injured, and the aircraft later made a technical flight to land on the original runway, as the new runway still had not been joined by taxiways to the taxiway system.[35]

See also

References

<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />

  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ "Boeing 747 8 Airport Planning Guide" Template:Webarchive, Boeing.com. Link accessed 2007-08-22.
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Annual statistics on airport website
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ a b Template:In lang "Dojazd, Airport Katowice" Template:Webarchive - www.airport-lotnisko.katowice.pl
  28. ↑ a b Template:In lang "Dojazd do lotniska Pyrzowice" Template:Webarchive - www.elotnicze.pl
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  33. ↑ "Spanish 737's low approach wrecks Katowice Airport lighting" - Flight Global, 2007
  34. ↑ "Stuck in the mud: Poland airport closes as plane skids off runway" - The Journal, 2013
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

External links

Template:Sister-inline

Template:Portal bar Script error: No such module "Navbox".

Template:Authority control

Retrieved from "http://debianws.lexgopc.com/wiki143/index.php?title=Katowice_Airport&oldid=2053992"