Poland restricts air movements at its eastern borders following Russian drones incursions
Poland introduced restrictions to air traffic along its eastern borders with Belarus and Ukraine, the Polish Armed Forces’ Operational Command said on Thursday. This comes amid increased tensions a day after multiple drone incursions into the NATO member’s airspace, reported news agency Reuters.
Poland shot down 19 suspected Russian drones in its airspace early on Wednesday with the backing of aircraft from its NATO allies, the first time a member of the Western military alliance is known to have fired shots during Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“At the request of the Operational Command of the Branches of the Armed Forces … air traffic restrictions will be introduced in the eastern part of Poland in the form of the restricted zone EP R129“, Polish Air Navigation Agency said in a statement published late on Wednesday and reproduced by Reuters. The restrictions came into force at 2200 GMT on Wednesday and apply until December 9, it said.
From sunrise to sunset, a ban applies for flights in the restricted zone. Exceptions are for manned aircraft operating in accordance with a flight plan with appropriate transponders and maintaining two-way communication with air authorities.
Commercial scheduled flights to continue
The exception for manned flights means that regular commercial air services will continue at Lublin and Rzeszow international airports.
Both airports have an important passengers’ traffic. Rzeszow was Poland 8th busiest airport with 1.14 million passengers in 2024. Lublin had a more modest output with 0.45 million passengers last year.
In IATA summer season, 9 airlines link Lublin to 13 destinations. That includes LOT Polish Airlines, Ryanair, Wizz Air and Corendon. Lublin timetable has daily flights to London-Luton and Warsaw.
Four airlines (LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Ryanair and Wizz Air) offer services to 16 destinations from Rzeszow airport. That even includes a weekly flight to New York by LOT. Daily flights are on offer to London-Luton and Stansted, Munich and Warsaw. According to both airports’ websites, flights land and start as scheduled today.
The air space restrictions also make exception for military flights and some additional special-purpose flights and call signs.
Worries about the safety of Europe’s civil air space
Meanwhile, expansion of restricted flying zones in Europe adds to the congestion of air space in the region. According to data from Eurocontrol, Poland recorded on average 1,613 daily flights in Week 34 (August 18-24, 2025). This represents a 9% increase compared to last year and even a jump of 24% compared to the same week of 2019.
Airlines need to take now longer routes to avoid areas posing a potential safety danger, adding to operational costs and delays. While aviation and insurance experts explain that the Russian drone incursion into Poland has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of Europe’s civil air transport system.
(Sources: Reuters- Eurocontrol- www.rzeszowairport.pl– www.airport.lublin.pl)
Related News Stories: Poland air traffic restarts following shoots down of Russian drones Wizz Air add three new Italy routes LOT Polish Airlines eyes Thailand Air Canada to fly again from August 18 following strike suspension Ryanair cuts 750,000 seats to France in winter 2025/2026 Air India inks SAF supply deal TravelMole Air India cancels or reduces international flights Air Canada launching Edinburgh flights from Montreal Air Canada Express flight accident likely a 'landing gear malfunction'
TravelMole Editorial Team
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt