Case Study : Lublin on the Rise, Your Gateaway to Eastern Poland
Lublin is one of the oldest cities in Poland, which played a significant role in the history of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 16th-18th centuries.
Interview by Nikodem Szczygłowski, CONNECT Aviation Journalist
Lublin is one of the oldest cities in Poland, which played a significant role in the history of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 16th-18th centuries. Today, the city is experiencing a real tourist boom. What is behind the rapid growth in Lublin’s popularity as a tourist destination? Is it just the “postcard” charm of the Old Town, which is being consistently renovated and gradually regaining its unique character?
According to Krzysztof Raganowicz, head of the Lublin Metropolitan Tourism Organisation, the city’s growing popularity among tourists is largely driven by restored transport links and improved accessibility.
“A convenient 1.5-hour journey from Warsaw or just over three hours from Kraków has encouraged many Poles, as well as foreign tourists visiting Poland’s two largest cities, to include Lublin in their travels. Once they arrive, the city is sure to charm them and inspire them to return“, emphasizes Mr. Raganowicz.and set other styles.
There is also a rapidly developing airport near the city, which is constantly striving to expand its range of flights. Lublin Airport’s growth ambitions are underscored by the fact that Lublin will host one of the aviation industry’s largest events, the CONNECT Route Development Forum, in February 2026.
Lublin Airport, one of Poland’s youngest regional airports, can already boast significant achievements. In 2025, the airport with the IATA code LUZ – closed with a result of almost half a million passengers, served by 14 airlines on 30 routes, both domestic and international.
Marcin Kowalewski, Vice President of the Management Board, talks about the development of Lublin Airport.
How do you assess the achievements of Lublin Airport?
First of all, Lublin Airport has removed one of the main communication barriers in the region.
For more than a decade, it has enabled fast, comfortable, and safe travel from Lublin to many European destinations, and, using connections to the hub, to virtually anywhere in the world.
In a highly competitive market, the airport has built a strong regional brand, becoming a real gateway for residents and a catalyst for positive changes in the economy. Regular connections operated by carriers and the dynamically developing charter flight segment have contributed to an increase in tourists visiting the region.
As I mentioned, we face strong competition, so we focus on destinations that appeal to our passengers but aren’t served by nearby airports, such as Maastricht, Trapani, and Barcelona-Girona. Our statistics reflect this success, and we continue to work on expanding our network of connections.
Lublin has significant – and still largely untapped – inbound tourism potential. How would you assess LUZ’s current passenger traffic: primarily business, VFR, or inbound tourism?
Passenger traffic is rising as the city and region become increasingly popular with tourists. While the airport was once focused on departing passengers, recent years have seen more inbound travelers, thanks to the region’s growing appeal and cooperation with local tourist organizations. On routes to London, Barcelona, and Milan, we’re seeing more international passengers traveling for both business and tourism.
LUZ currently serves two domestic routes – in addition to the LOT transfer hub at Warsaw, there is also a route to Gdańsk. Are seasonal flights to Gdańsk popular? Is there potential for other domestic routes, given the still uncompetitive rail service to cities such as Kraków and Wrocław? How is your cooperation with LOT going in general?
The seasonal Gdańsk route, operated by Ryanair from March to October, has long been popular. Its success highlights the potential for additional domestic routes, with Wrocław and Poznań among the top priorities. Cooperation with LOT is very positive, offering both fast connections to Warsaw and the possibility to use Chopin Airport as a transfer hub.
Which destinations are the most popular on your wish list and which destinations do you think are currently missing? What explains the impressive growth in charter flights from LUZ over the past two years?
VFR destinations in the UK and Scandinavia remain the most popular. Germany is the top choice for business flights. Italian connections are expanding, including the new Trapani route. Tel Aviv remains strategic, with significant tourism and pilgrimage potential for Polish travelers. Charter flights to Turkey, Tunisia, Egypt, the Greek islands, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Sharm el-Sheikh have grown thanks to cooperation with local travel agencies.
Due to its location near the borders with Belarus and Ukraine, LUZ used to serve a large number of passengers from across the eastern border. Are there any special security measures in place at the airport today due to its proximity to the border?
Before the Russian aggression in February 2022, we had direct flights to Ukraine, specifically to Kyiv. Today, Ukrainian passengers still make up a substantial share of travelers, primarily on flights heading west. Airports are critical infrastructure, so there are no additional security measures beyond the standard ones, but the airport is well protected. Some coaches have a permanent stop here, making LUZ the closest airport for many residents across the eastern border.
Despite its relatively limited size, the current LUZ passenger terminal is probably one of the most comfortable in Poland and stands out with its architecturally attractive silhouette. The terminal is directly connected to the railway link to Lublin, unusual for regional airports. What infrastructure challenges are you currently facing?
Passengers often highlight how comfortable the terminal is. It is compact, yet offers many amenities. The next stage of development will focus on expanding the terminal, baggage sorting area, apron, and taxiways to accommodate growing passenger and cargo traffic.
CONNECT Route Development Forum, taking place in Lublin on February 17-19 2026, will be a significant event for both the city and the region.
Ms. Katarzyna Ostrowska-Malczewska, Acting Director of the Lublin Regional Tourist Organization, explains how the development of LUZ airport influences tourism.
“The development of Lublin Airport’s network of connections aligns with the overall development goals of the region and strengthens its tourism potential. The airport not only serves a transport function but also symbolically strengthens the image of the region as open and modern.”
According to Ms. Ostrowska-Malczewska, Lublin Province offers many travel opportunities: Roztocze hills for active recreation, Zamość’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, Kazimierz Dolny’s cultural offerings, and Nałęczów and Puławy for spa and leisure.
Katarzyna’s personal Top 5 attractions to visit in Lubelskie region:
1. Czartowe Pole Nature Reserve / Szumy nad Tanwią
2. Zamoyski Museum in Kozłówka
3. Old Town of Zamość
4. “Czahary” Nature Trail in Poleski National Park
5. Chalk Underground in Chełm
CONNECT guests are welcomed to the Lublin Conference Center (LCK), a modern venue in the heart of Lubelskie Voivodeship, located in Lublin.
“We see CONNECT in Lublin as a platform for building lasting relationships between the aviation industry, public institutions, and business partners. We expect the event to strengthen the region’s recognition as open, dynamically developing, and ready for international cooperation, as well as to become an impetus for further economic projects” – says Aleksander Batorski, director of LCK.
“On the other hand, CONNECT is an opportunity for us to show LCK at its best – as a place that can combine business, culture, and hospitality. We hope that the event will allow participants not only to establish valuable contacts, but also to discover the potential of the conference center, as a strategically important regional venue for future cooperation”
