Commercial flights to and from Radom–Sadków and Lublin–Świdnik resumed at 06:00 local time on 30 October after an unannounced overnight NOTAM closed the two regional airports to civilian traffic. The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency (PANSA) confirmed that the airspace restrictions had been requested by the Ministry of National Defence to allow tactical aviation exercises linked to NATO’s enhanced Baltic-Sea air-policing mission.
During the eight-hour shutdown several LOT Polish Airlines and Ryanair services were forced to divert to Warsaw-Chopin and Katowice, and cargo operator DHL re-routed two Leipzig–Radom freighters, delaying time-critical express shipments. Ground handlers in both cities scrambled to arrange onward coach transport for stranded passengers, highlighting once again the logistical vulnerability of Poland’s second-tier airports when unexpected closures occur.
Business-travel managers should expect residual knock-on delays for at least 24 hours as airlines reposition aircraft and crews. Companies with time-sensitive supply chains that use the fast-growing Radom cargo facility have been advised to build additional transit buffers this week. The incident also underscores Poland’s elevated security posture; since July Poland has kept temporary land-border checks with Germany and Lithuania in force, and aviation authorities now routinely coordinate with the military before live-fire exercises.
While both airports are fully operational again, industry bodies are urging the defence and transport ministries to adopt clearer advance-notification protocols so carriers can mitigate customer disruption and avoid costly diversions. In the medium term, the episode may accelerate plans to upgrade contingency infrastructure at regional gateways, including remote de-icing pads and additional crew rest facilities.
During the eight-hour shutdown several LOT Polish Airlines and Ryanair services were forced to divert to Warsaw-Chopin and Katowice, and cargo operator DHL re-routed two Leipzig–Radom freighters, delaying time-critical express shipments. Ground handlers in both cities scrambled to arrange onward coach transport for stranded passengers, highlighting once again the logistical vulnerability of Poland’s second-tier airports when unexpected closures occur.
Business-travel managers should expect residual knock-on delays for at least 24 hours as airlines reposition aircraft and crews. Companies with time-sensitive supply chains that use the fast-growing Radom cargo facility have been advised to build additional transit buffers this week. The incident also underscores Poland’s elevated security posture; since July Poland has kept temporary land-border checks with Germany and Lithuania in force, and aviation authorities now routinely coordinate with the military before live-fire exercises.
While both airports are fully operational again, industry bodies are urging the defence and transport ministries to adopt clearer advance-notification protocols so carriers can mitigate customer disruption and avoid costly diversions. In the medium term, the episode may accelerate plans to upgrade contingency infrastructure at regional gateways, including remote de-icing pads and additional crew rest facilities.
Джерело: Reuters
