Passengers flying through Warsaw Chopin Airport should arrive earlier than usual after the hub began a phased modernisation of its central security-screening zone this week. A banner on LOT Polish Airlines’ booking portal, updated on 21 September, advises travellers that the works "may extend waiting times" and urges early arrival. The airport operator is replacing legacy X-ray units with next-generation CT scanners that allow liquids and laptops to remain inside cabin baggage. While the technology promises faster throughput once fully operational, construction walls and temporary lane closures are already creating peak-hour queues that stretch beyond the food-court area. For corporate travellers on tight schedules, the recommendation is to budget at least 30 extra minutes until the first phase completes in mid-November. Carriers have started pre-notifying premium passengers and are waiving rebooking fees for missed connections attributable to the works. The upgrade aligns Chopin with EU mandates requiring all major airports to deploy CT scanners by 2027. Similar refurbishments at Amsterdam Schiphol and Frankfurt caused security-line times to double temporarily, suggesting Warsaw’s project could have knock-on effects during the autumn conference season. Travel managers should cascade the advisory to staff, especially those transiting to onward long-haul flights where minimum connection times are tight. Lounges are honoring entry up to four hours before departure to help absorb early-arriving passengers.
Source: LOT Polish Airlines
