EU Subsidies for Airport Development May Be Lost

The management of Polish airports have until the end of next year to apply for EUR650m subsidies for development. But not everyone will be able to take advantage of the funds. The airports in Cracow and Wroclaw do not own the land on which the terminals are constructed, and are therefore not eligible to receive the aid. Some companies managing the airports lease the land from the army. There are 34 airports where the army owns the land, and in case of an emergency wants to use them for its own purposes. The Defence Ministry says that under the law it cannot sell this land. The land lease agreement for the airport in Cracow was signed until the year 2030. In the case of Starachowice close to Wroclaw, the contract expires next year, but it will be extended until 2030. The Transport and Construction Ministry assures that works are underway to improve the legislation.