Poland is the world’s fastest growing market of air passenger transport. This is reflected in the statistical data of International Air Transport Association for 2005, and in its forecasts for the coming years (see Table 29.1 – list of countries with fastest growing air passenger transport).

In 2005, Polish airlines have transported over 12 million passengers, i.e. 30% more than in the year before. This development is, in considerable part, a result of a dynamic entry and development of budget airlines in Poland. Another impact of this phenomenon is the development of regional airports, even though – according to the data of the Civil Aviation Office – the most popular of 12 airports is the Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport, which has serviced over 7 million passengers in 2005 (for comparison – Kraków – 1.5 million and Katowice – over 1 million). Full data on air transport of passengers and goods can be found in the Table 29.2.

Despite dynamic growth of budget airlines, the biggest share of the market rests with Polish Airlines (LOT). They serviced 43% of all passengers checking in Polish airports.

The brilliant development of air transport has somewhat overshadowed the sea transportation. In 2004, the number of passengers using this mode of transport on national routes has slightly decreased, but the international sea transport has experienced a rise in business. The passenger sea traffic and the movement of goods increased in Polish ports. According to the latest available data, passenger coast fleet has transported 555.4 thousand passengers, and Polish open sea fleet has serviced 626.1 passengers in 2004. In the same year, the sea fleet shipped 22.5 billion tonnes of cargo.

These figures show that the sea cargo transport remains an important part of Polish economy. This is not all though – it also bears a strategic significance for ensuring energy safety of the country. Thanks to the sea transport, Poland is able to secure alternative sources of oil, and the LNG terminal is in the stage of planning, to allow Poland to diversify the sources of natural gas (it is to be constructed in 2010).

Table 29.1
The Top 5 Countries by Rate of Growth for International Traffic 2005-2009

Source: IATA, http://www.iata.org/ 

Table 29.2
Passenger and cargo transport (timeTable and Charter flights) in 2004 and 2005

Source: Civil Aviation Office, more information by airport available at: http://www.ulc.gov.pl/index_1.php?dzial=wiadomosci&plik=cao_eng