The Leading Airport Magazine

€120 million has been invested at Kraków Airport in an extensive modernisation, including extension of the passenger terminal, new taxiways and apron expansion.

Radosław Włoszek, acting CEO, Kraków Airport, interviewed by Marta Dimitrova.

With its gripping historical, mythical and yet artistic nature, Kraków – Poland’s second largest city – attracts more and more attention each year. So it comes as no surprise that Kraków Airport has been experiencing significant traffic growth this year.

Its 4.2 million passengers in 2015 represented 10% growth, while the first quarter of 2016 saw 18% growth. “Airlines which introduced connections at Kraków in 2015 – KLM, British Airways and Swiss – almost doubled their activities this year,” says Radosław Włoszek, acting CEO, Kraków Airport. “Additionally, the flights introduced in the 2015/2016 winter season, for example to Tenerife, Gran Canaria (Ryanair) and to Olsztyn (SprintAir), will remain in the summer schedule. We have been experiencing a record number of passengers this year, and we hope to exceed 4.7 million.”

Meanwhile, the airport welcomes four new carriers in 2016 – SAS, Iberia, Air France and Aegean – which are significant milestones in the airport’s growth strategy.

“As part of our route development strategy we see further development of incumbent carriers in terms of new air services, additional frequencies, and larger aircraft operated, as well as attracting new airlines,” Włoszek explains. “We believe our market is large enough to attract an additional based low-cost carrier to operate services that would not compete with the current network.”

Ryanair is Kraków’s biggest carrier, and easyJet its second biggest, and LCC traffic currently accounts for about 60% of the total. It is a proportion Włoszek believes reflects market expectation and passenger demand. He describes a strategy with an “emphasis on providing our catchment area with the most desirable direct air services, and enabling convenient access to our region for all inbound traffic with competitive market conditions.”

The airport’s data shows the biggest market potential for routes including Geneva, Venice, Istanbul, Lisbon, Nuremberg and Marseille, as well as some non-European destinations such as Chicago and a Middle East hub.

To encourage airlines to develop services, Kraków Airport offers tariff and marketing incentives. “Our tools aim to strengthen sales and promotion channels, and to reduce costs in the initial period, as we understand the risk associated with launching a new service or increasing frequency,” Włoszek comments. “We support carriers by providing them with access to our databases of local companies (over 300 records), loyalty programme passengers (over 10,000), local authorities and tourism boards. We also use our social media channels to promote airline products.”

Indeed, with 30,000 fans on Facebook and 2,000 followers on Twitter, social media is a key promotional tool.

“A world-class product for passengers”

Radosław Włoszek, acting CEO, Kraków Airport: “This year, both parts of the terminal – the new and modernised parts – will be integrated. Consequently, Kraków Airport will further improve the standard of the services offered to our passengers, and enable the generation of additional non-aviation income from retailers that have expanded their offer in the new airport premises.”

Włoszek articulates a firm focus on the passenger experience and digital communications are the cornerstone. Free, unlimited WiFi is available to all airport customers; the free smartphone app provides live information on flight status and airport amenities; and digital screens display arrival and departure information, public transport timetables, a live flight tracker, and Kraków Airport TV.

In August there are plans to install new readers for automated boarding pass control, and a new self-service bag drop system. This builds on a €120 million investment in an extensive modernisation, including extension of the passenger terminal, new taxiways and apron expansion. The first phase of the extended passenger terminal opened last year, alongside a direct train connection to the city centre. “The new part of the terminal delivers a world-class product for passengers, with more space, more baggage carousels, shops, restaurants and other facilities,” Włoszek explains. “Since opening we have been observing a significant surge in our ACI ASQ rankings, which confirms the satisfaction of our clients.”

To briefly summarise what else is new:

• Passenger boarding bridges (PBB) have been installed at Kraków Airport for the first time. There is presently one PBB available for non-Schengen operations and a second one for Schengen operations.
• ‘Kiss & Fly’ areas have been introduced in front of the terminal, where parking for a few minutes is free of charge.
• Centralised security control for all departures.
• Fast-track security is free of charge for passengers with reduced mobility, business passengers, and members of the Kraków Airport loyalty programme.
• The Visitor Centre provides a place for passengers to obtain information about transportation and accommodation in Kraków and the wider Małopolska region.

“This year, both parts of the terminal – the new and modernised parts – will be integrated,” Włoszek notes. “Consequently, Kraków Airport will further improve the standard of the services offered to our passengers, and enable the generation of additional non-aviation income from retailers that have expanded their offer in the new airport premises.”

Meanwhile, at a general meeting of shareholders in May, plans were approved to build a new runway. The estimated PLN 250 million (€60m) investment in the 2,800m runway is planned to be complete by 2021. The airport is about to start a stakeholder consultation process on the two shortlisted proposals for developing the runway.

For now, Włoszek adds, Kraków Airport is focused on the following priorities: “Completing modernisation of the terminal, increasing non-aviation revenues based on the new infrastructure, developing the new runway project, acquiring a new based carrier, and developing opportunities for new long-haul services.”