Poland has temporarily suspended the arrival and departure of passenger flights at Lublin and Rzeszów airports due to the threat of an attack. The Polish Air Navigation Services Agency (PANSA) reported that the restrictions were introduced at the request of the military. The country’s armed forces have mobilised military aircraft, whilst ground-based air defence and radar reconnaissance assets have been placed on full combat alert.
Briefly about the main points
- Passenger services to Lublin and Rzeszów have been temporarily suspended.
- PANSA introduced the restrictions at the request of the military.
- The Polish Air Force has taken to the skies.
- The RCB has warned part of the Lublin Voivodeship about an attack in Ukraine.
How the restrictions on civil aviation work
A spokesperson for Lublin Airport had previously explained that the suspension of flights does not necessarily mean the terminal is closed. This is a general explanation of how such restrictions work, rather than a description of the current operating arrangements at airports.
Polish forces are taking pre-emptive action
On the morning of 23 September, Poland’s Government Security Agency (RCB) sent a warning to some residents of the Lublin Voivodeship regarding a Russian air strike on Ukrainian territory. The agency stated that it was monitoring the situation and that aircraft were operating in the country’s airspace.
According to official statements, the measures are of a preventive nature. The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces continues to monitor the situation; the forces under its command are ready to respond immediately.
