Runway length in Poland and worldwide: key data and importance
- Damian Brzeski
- Sep 19
- 11 min read
Is 3,690 meters enough to launch a jumbo jet into the sky? Or maybe 400 meters will be enough… if the runway ends in a cliff?
The length of the runway in Poland determines whether we fly far or take off at all – from Warsaw (3,690 m) to the hidden DOLs.
Find out which airports will handle wide-body giants, what really lengthens the take-off run, and where Poland ranks among world records.
The longest runways at Polish airports
The airport infrastructure in Poland is diverse, with airports at the forefront having runways that allow for the handling of the largest aircraft and intercontinental operations.
Warsaw Chopin Airport – 3690 m and 2800 m
As the country's main transportation hub, Chopin Airport (EPWA) boasts the most extensive infrastructure. It has two runways, allowing for flexible air traffic management.
Runway 11/29: At 3,690 meters long and 60 meters wide, it is the longest runway in Poland. It can accommodate the largest aircraft, such as the Boeing 747, with a full load on long-haul routes.
Runway 15/33: This shorter runway measures 2,800 meters. It serves as an auxiliary runway, used depending on wind conditions or during maintenance work on the main road.
Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport – 3200 m
Rzeszów Airport (EPRZ) has one of the longest runways in Poland, 3,200 meters long and 45 meters wide.
This infrastructure allows for the acceptance of all types of aircraft, including the largest transport aircraft, making Rzeszów an important logistics hub. The runway surface is mixed – partly cement concrete, partly asphalt concrete.
Katowice-Pyrzowice Airport – 3200 m
Katowice Airport (EPKT) also has a 3,200-meter-long and 45-meter-wide runway. Opened in 2015, it significantly increased the airport's operational capabilities, particularly in handling heavy cargo aircraft.
Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport – 3200 m
Gdańsk Airport (EPGD) has a 2,800-meter-long and 45-meter-wide asphalt-concrete runway. It is crucial for handling the intense tourist and business traffic in northern Poland.
Kraków-Balice Airport – 3200 m
The current runway at Krakow Airport (EPKK) is 2,550 meters long and 60 meters wide. This is sufficient length to handle the most popular medium-haul aircraft, such as the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. However, there are advanced plans to build a new 2,800-meter runway, which will allow for transatlantic flights.
Wrocław-Strachowice Airport – 3000 m
Wrocław Airport (EPWR) has a concrete runway 2,500 meters long (2,503 meters in some sources) and 58 to 60 meters wide.
Poznań-Ławica Airport – 2500 m
Poznań Airport (EPPO) has a concrete runway 2,504 meters long and 50 meters wide.
Record-breaking runways, statistics, and interesting facts
Runway lengths in Poland vary, reflecting the role of individual airports in the national and international network. However, it's worth considering these dimensions in a broader, global context.
What are the longest runways in the world?
The world's record-breaking runways were created out of the need to adapt to extreme geographical conditions.
Qamdo Bamda Airport in Tibet (China): Considered to have the longest civilian runway in the world, measuring a staggering 5,500 meters. Its impressive length is dictated by its altitude of over 4,334 meters above sea level, where thinner air requires a much longer takeoff run.
Shigatse Heping Airport (China) and Ulyanovsk-Vostochny Airport (Russia): Both of these airports have 5,000-meter runways.
What are the shortest runways in the world?
At the other extreme are landing sites that pose a real challenge for pilots.
Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport on Saba Island (Caribbean): It has the shortest commercial runway in the world, measuring only about 400 meters (sources say between 396 and 400 meters). The runway is surrounded by cliffs and ends in a drop into the ocean, making it suitable only for specialized STOL (Short Takeoff and Landing) aircraft.
How long are DOLs?
Airport Road Sections (ADRs) are strategic elements of defense infrastructure hidden within the public road network. These are specially reinforced and widened sections of road that can serve as backup landing areas for military aircraft in the event of conflict.
Length: Typical DOL lengths range from 2,000 to over 3,000 meters.
Examples in Poland: DOL Wielbark in Warmia is 3,240 meters long, and DOL Łukęcin in Western Pomerania – 2,200 meters long.
Comparison with the largest airports in Europe
To better illustrate the position of Polish infrastructure, the table below presents the length of the longest runways at selected key European airports.
Differences between regional and central airports
In recent years, we have observed a dynamic change in the structure of air traffic in Poland. Warsaw Chopin Airport, although still the largest, has lost its dominant position to regional airports.
In 2015, regional airports already handled 63.4% of all traffic in the country, and in 2024 this share increased to 64%.
A key role in this process was played by investments in regional infrastructure, including primarily the extension of runways, which enabled the launch of direct international connections bypassing the capital.
The influence of runway length on aircraft types
Runway length is one of the most important factors determining which aircraft can operate from a given airport.
The required take-off run length is not fixed and depends on many variables that pilots must consider before each takeoff:
Takeoff Weight (MTOW): The heavier the aircraft, the longer the takeoff run it requires to reach takeoff speed.
Temperature and altitude: High temperatures and high airport altitudes reduce air density. This, in turn, reduces engine thrust and wing lift, significantly increasing the required takeoff distance.
Wind and surface conditions: A headwind shortens the takeoff roll, while a tailwind lengthens it. Wet or icy surfaces also increase the required takeoff and landing distance.
Minimum lengths for selected aircraft models
The table below shows the approximate runway lengths required by common aircraft models under standard conditions (at sea level, at maximum take-off weight).
Servicing large passenger and cargo aircraft
Long runways (over 3,000 m) are crucial for the development of cargo operations and intercontinental connections.
They enable the take-off of the largest transport aircraft at maximum take-off weight, which is essential for the profitability of long-haul cargo routes.
Investments in infrastructure such as those in Katowice and Rzeszów allow regional ports to become important logistics hubs and attract global business.
The importance of runway length for the safety of air operations
The length of the runway is of fundamental importance not only for operational capabilities, but above all for safety.
Takeoffs and landings in difficult weather conditions
Rain, snow, or icy surfaces drastically increase an aircraft's braking distance. A longer runway provides a necessary safety margin in such conditions, minimizing the risk of the aircraft overshooting its limits.
Possibility of emergency landing
A key safety parameter is the ability to safely abort a takeoff (Rejected Takeoff, RTO). The runway length must be sufficient to ensure that in the event of a serious failure before reaching decision speed (
V1), the pilot could safely brake the aircraft on the remaining section of the runway. This distance, known as ASDA (Accelerate-Stop Distance Available), is one of the basic requirements for airport certification.
Reduction of engine noise and thrust
A longer runway gives crews more flexibility in applying Noise Abatement Departure Procedures (NADPs).
These procedures, which involve appropriate engine power and flap configuration during climb, minimize acoustic impact on areas adjacent to the airport. NADP 1 protects areas near the end of the runway, while NADP 2 protects those further away.
Runway length and number of taxiways and the development and capacity of airports
Runway length alone isn't everything. Its effectiveness is determined by the entire airport infrastructure.
Impact on infrastructure development and handling of increased traffic
Runway capacity, or the maximum number of movements per hour, is closely linked to the taxiway network. Rapid Exit Taxiways (RATs) play a key role here, allowing landing aircraft to exit the runway at higher speeds.
This shortens the Runway Occupancy Time (ROT) and allows for more operations to be performed at the same time, which is a much cheaper solution than building a new runway.
Connection to cargo operations and the future of aviation
An efficient taxiway system combined with a long runway is fundamental to the development of cargo operations. The rapid and smooth movement of aircraft across the apron is crucial for logistics companies, where every minute counts.
Investments in this infrastructure determine the port's competitiveness and its ability to handle growing freight traffic in the future.
Infrastructure supporting long runways
A modern runway is a complex system in which technology plays as important a role as the structure itself.
ILS and other navigation systems
The Instrument Landing System (ILS) is a key technology enabling low-visibility operations. It uses radio signals to precisely align the aircraft with the runway and follow the correct descent path.
ILS Categories: The precision of the system is determined by categories that define the minimum weather conditions for landing:
CAT I: Requires a runway visual range (RVR) of at least 550 m and a decision height of 60 m.
CAT II: Allows landing at RVR 300-350 m and decision height 30 m.
CAT III (a, b, c): Allows landings in near-zero visibility conditions. CAT IIIa requires an RVR of 175 m (as at Chopin Airport), while CAT IIIb requires just 75 m (as in Gdańsk).
Additional visual support is provided by the PAPI (Precision Approach Path Indicator) system, which uses four lamps to inform the pilot of his position relative to the correct glide path.
Lighting, surfacing and other technical elements
Safe operations, especially at night and in bad weather, depend on a complex system of lights and markings.
Anatomy of Signs: How to Read a Runway
Large white numbers and lines painted on the runway surface create a universal language understood by pilots around the world.
Direction Designation: The two-digit number on the runway threshold is its magnetic heading divided by 10 and rounded to the nearest whole number. For example, a runway with a heading of 265 degrees is designated "27." Due to the constant drift of the Earth's magnetic pole, these designations must be periodically reviewed and, if necessary, changed, as was the case at Katowice Airport, where the designation 09/27 was changed to 08/26. At airports with multiple parallel runways, the letters L (Left), C (Center), and R (Right) are added to the number.
Runway markings: All runway markings are white.
Threshold: The beginning of a lane is marked by a series of longitudinal lanes, resembling a piano keyboard (so-called "piano keys"). Their number depends on the width of the road – e.g., 12 lanes for a 45 m wide lane and 16 for a 60 m wide lane.
Axial line: This is defined by a broken line, usually consisting of 30 m long strips with 20 m long gaps.
Touchdown Zone: Consists of groups of symmetrical stripes that indicate to the pilot the recommended landing area.
Aiming Point: Two distinctive, thick rectangles located approximately 300-400 m behind the threshold, serving as the main visual reference point for the pilot.
You will find a lot of information in: Vehicle and pedestrian traffic at Gdańsk Airport
Aviation Foundations: What Is the Surface Made Of?
The runway surface is an advanced engineering structure designed to support hundreds of tons.
Materials: Special cement concrete and asphalt concrete mixtures are most often used, as they are extremely resistant to heavy loads. An example is the Rzeszów airport, where part of the runway is concrete and part is asphalt concrete.
Structure: A runway is a multi-layer structure. Beneath the top layer are successive sub-base layers that distribute the loads onto the ground. The total thickness of such a structure can exceed one meter, and the bituminous surface itself, as in the case of the modernization in Wrocław, can be 68 cm thick.
Language of Light: Night Navigation
After dark or in low visibility conditions, the runway comes alive thanks to a complex lighting system.
Runway Edge Lights: White lights located along the edge of the runway. They may turn yellow in the final 600 meters to warn of the approaching end.
Threshold and end lights: The runway threshold is marked by a line of green lights (visible only from the approach side), and its end by a line of red lights.
Axle lights: Recessed into the road surface, they change colour depending on the remaining distance: initially white, then alternating white and red, and then red for the last 300 metres.
Runway length classification
Although we commonly speak of length in meters, in aviation a more complex classification system is used.
Factors influencing belt length requirements
There is no single, universal runway length that is ideal for every airport. The design length is the result of an analysis of many factors, including:
Aircraft types to be serviced.
Local climatic conditions (average maximum temperature).
Height of the airport above sea level.
Terrain.
Strategic purpose of the port (regional vs. intercontinental traffic).
The lack of a uniform classification and its consequences
Due to the complexity of the above factors, a simple classification based solely on length in meters is not applicable. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has introduced a universal
The Airport Reference Code , which has become a global standard, consists of two elements:
Number (1 to 4): Indicates the required reference takeoff distance for the aircraft (e.g., code 4 means 1800 m or more).
Letter (A to F): Refers to the dimensions of the aircraft – its wingspan and undercarriage wheelbase (e.g., code C is for A320/B737 aircraft, code E is for B787/B777, and code F is for A380/B747-8).
It is this code, not the length in meters itself, that is the language that precisely informs carriers about the operational capabilities of a given airport.
Questions and Answers (Q&A)
How long are the runways at Warsaw Chopin Airport? The main runway at Warsaw Chopin Airport , designated Runway 11/29 , is 3,690 meters long. The second, shorter runway , Runway 15/33 , is 2,800 meters long.
Why is runway length crucial? Runway length is crucial because it directly determines which types of aircraft can safely take off and land. Adequate runway length is fundamental to the operational capabilities of any airport .
What do long runways enable? Longer runways allow for takeoff for the largest aircraft and enable the operation of large passenger planes and heavy cargo aircraft without cargo restrictions. Runways also allow for the landing of larger aircraft and intercontinental flights.
What is the longest runway in the world? The longest runway for civilian aviation is considered to be the one at Qamdo Bamda Airport in Tibet, at 5,500 meters long. Such record-breaking runways are necessary at high altitudes, where thin air lengthens takeoff runways.
Are there any runways that are 4,800 meters long? Yes, there are particularly long runways exceeding 4,000 meters. For example, one of the runways at Denver Airport, USA, has a runway length of 4,800 meters (or 4,877 meters to be exact). These dimensions are needed because large, heavy aircraft require longer runways under specific conditions (e.g., high altitude).
What determines the required runway length at an airport? The required runway length at an airport depends on many factors. Runway length influences operations and is determined by the aircraft's takeoff weight, air temperature, airport altitude, and surface condition. These runway parameters are crucial for safety.
How does the condition of runways impact safety? Good runway condition is fundamental to the safety of air operations . A smooth and clean surface ensures adequate traction. Durable runways ensure runway safety even when landing aircraft weighing hundreds of tons.
How do runways expand an airport's capacity? Runways expand an airport's capacity by allowing it to handle larger aircraft and more air traffic . This, in turn, stimulates airport development , attracting new carriers and opening new routes.
What is the role of runways in the development of air transport? The role of runways is crucial for the development of air transport . Thanks to long runways , airports can become international hubs, handling large flight operations and stimulating the regional economy.
Are shorter runways worse? Not necessarily. Shorter runways are ideal for smaller aircraft and regional traffic. However, runways limit operational capacity when it comes to accommodating the largest long-haul aircraft, which require longer runways .
How do runways impact the efficiency of air operations? A well-designed runway, along with a network of taxiways, improves the efficiency of air operations . It enables smooth air traffic management , reducing aircraft wait times before takeoff and after landing.
Why is runway modernization and development so important? Runway development is essential to accommodate growing air traffic and new technologies. Runway modernization is crucial because runways are crucial to maintaining airport competitiveness and high levels of safety.
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