Lublin Airport

Lublin Airport (IATA: LUZ, ICAO: EPLB) is an international airport located 10 km east of Lublin city center, primarily serving the Lublin metropolitan area. Its construction began in 2010 with funding from the European Commission and was completed in 2012. The airport terminal, designed by a Polish-Spanish consortium, won first place in the Życie w Architekturze (Life in Architecture) plebiscite for the years 2000–2012. Near the airport is the grassy Świdnik Airfield, which serves the Świdnik Aeroclub and the PZL Świdnik helicopter manufacturing plant. The airfield in Świdnik has a long history dating back to the 1930s when a civilian pilot school was established there. During World War II, the airport infrastructure was utilized, and after the war, the aviation industry, including helicopter production, was developed there. The construction of Lublin Airport was the result of years of effort, which also involved ecological challenges related to the protection of European ground squirrels. The airport officially opened on December 17, 2012. In its first year of operation, it handled over 188,000 passengers, although 300,000 had been projected. In 2013, the air traffic control tower was commissioned, and in 2016, the cargo terminal was completed. Airport authorities anticipate further infrastructure development due to increasing passenger numbers, including plans to expand the passenger terminal. The airport has been equipped with modern transport links, including rail access and upgraded roads, significantly improving travel convenience for passengers. An interesting fact is that Lublin Airport aims to become one of the most important airports in the region, leveraging its proximity to numerous industrial and manufacturing parks, which supports the growth of cargo operations.