Flying to Poland? Travellers warned after two airports shut during Russian drone alert

Passengers travelling to or from Poland are being urged to check their flights after two airports were temporarily closed on Thursday September 17 as Polish military aircraft took to the skies in response to Russian drone attacks just across the border in Ukraine.

Flights were suspended at Lublin Airport and Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport on Thursday morning, because of what authorities described as “operations of military aviation”.

Both airports have since reopened and flights have resumed, but the sudden disruption highlights the possibility of further short-notice interruptions for travellers using airports in eastern Poland.

Why were the Polish airports closed?

The temporary shutdown came as Russia launched another wave of strikes against western Ukraine. Poland’s Operational Command said military aviation operations were launched in response to Russian attacks involving jet-powered unmanned aerial vehicles in western Ukraine. Ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance systems were also placed on alert.

The Polish military stressed that the measures were preventive, intended to secure and protect Polish airspace, particularly in areas close to regions considered at risk. Importantly, the military later said Polish airspace had not been violated during the incident.

Lublin and Rzeszów are both in eastern Poland, with Rzeszów in particular serving as an important transport hub relatively close to the Ukrainian border.

Flights have resumed – but check before travelling

By late Thursday morning, operations at both airports had resumed. Lublin Airport’s live departure board was again showing scheduled services operating, including flights to London Luton, Dublin, Warsaw and other destinations.

Rzeszów Airport was also showing departures operating again, with flights scheduled for later in the day including London Luton and Alicante. That Spain connection makes the disruption particularly relevant for travellers here. Ryanair currently operates a direct Rzeszów-Alicante route, while Lublin Airport also has a seasonal direct Ryanair connection with Girona. Passengers with upcoming journeys through either airport should therefore check their airline’s app or website and the airport’s live departure information before setting off. Even where a flight remains scheduled, a temporary airspace restriction can potentially cause delays to aircraft positioning and subsequent services.

Could more airports close?

There is no indication that Poland’s main airports, including Warsaw and Kraków, have been shut as part of Thursday’s measures. However, this was not an isolated alert. Polish military aircraft have been scrambled several times in recent days in response to Russian strikes close to its border with Ukraine, with Thursday marking the third such response this week, according to Sky News.

That means passengers travelling through eastern Poland in particular may want to allow for the possibility of temporary disruption if further attacks take place close to the border. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office currently does not advise against travel to Poland generally, but its guidance warns that Russian military strikes in Ukraine have occurred within 20 kilometres of the Polish border. Access around the Poland-Ukraine border is also restricted, and travellers are advised to follow instructions from Polish authorities.

For anyone flying to Poland in the coming days, do not assume your flight is affected, but check its status before leaving for the airport, particularly if your journey involves Lublin or Rzeszów.