Katowice Blossoms. Photo: Shutterstock This week, the international airport of Katowice (KTW) surpassed the three million passenger mark for this year – earlier than ever before.
Once considered a gray industrial city in southern Poland, it has transformed in recent years into a sought-after destination:
A vibrant university city with cultural centers, festivals, bustling nightlife, and affordable prices, especially compared to big cities like Krakow and Warsaw.
The proximity of Katowice to the Silesian region, the changing consumption habits of the younger traveling generation, and transportation accessibility have turned the city into a growing international destination.
Photo: ShutterstockThe low-cost carrier Wizz Air is a central driver of the airport's growth:
The company operates dozens of regular routes from Katowice to Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, focusing on popular destinations like London, Barcelona, Rome, Tel Aviv, Abu Dhabi, and others.
In 2024/25, Wizz Air holds the largest market share at the airport, also operating seasonal flights along with frequent daily routes. The ongoing expansion of its aircraft fleet at Katowice, including the deployment of Airbus A321neo planes at the local base, ensures the pace will only grow.
Beyond Wizz Air, airlines like Ryanair, Lufthansa, LOT, Smartwings, Pegasus, Air Cairo, Corendon, and others also operate at the airport.
Meanwhile, leading travel agencies in Poland – such as Itaka, TUI, Coral Travel, and Rainbow – offer vacation packages from Katowice to a wide range of destinations.
Thanks to this mix, Katowice attracts travelers from Poland, foreign tourists, business travelers, and mainly audiences from neighboring countries (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany).
Currently, Katowice is one of the most prominent airports in Poland outside of Warsaw – with a growth rate of over 10% per year.
Over the upcoming weekend alone (July 4-6), the airport is expected to handle around 330,000 passengers – marking another approaching record.
Airport management praises strong collaboration with its partners: airlines, travel agencies, ground handlers, and others, believing this is just the beginning.
Wizz Air. Photo: Shutterstock
