Biała Podlaska Air Base

The closure was a direct result of military restructuring and budget optimization within the Polish Armed Forces following the end of the Cold War and Poland's subsequent integration into NATO. The base, which operated aging Soviet-era aircraft for training, was deemed redundant as the air force consolidated its operations into fewer, more modern facilities. The decision was strategic and economic, aimed at creating a smaller, more efficient military structure.

The former air base has been repurposed for civilian use. The majority of the site is now managed by the city of Biała Podlaska and has been transformed into the 'Bialski Park Przemysłowo-Technologiczny' (Biała Podlaska Industrial and Technology Park) to attract new businesses. The vast runways and aprons are utilized by private companies, most notably for automotive logistics, a large truck terminal, and as a test track for vehicle development and driver training (operated by Inter-Rally). While the original military ICAO code was EPBP, a portion of the airfield is registered as a civil landing site (lądowisko) for general aviation, which may be associated with the ICAO locator PL-0267, but it does not support commercial flights. The site also hosts occasional events like car rallies and trade fairs.

Biała Podlaska Air Base has a rich history dating back to the 1920s when the 'Podlaska Wytwórnia Samolotów' (PWS) aircraft factory was established there. During World War II, it was used extensively by the German Luftwaffe. After the war, it became one of Poland's most important military airfields. For decades, it was the home of the 61st Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment (later an Air Training Regiment). The base was crucial for training generations of Polish military pilots on a variety of jet aircraft, including the MiG-15, MiG-17, MiG-21, and the Polish-made TS-11 Iskra. Its strategic location in eastern Poland, near the border with the Soviet Union (now Belarus), made it a key frontline base during the Warsaw Pact era. The facility was extensive, featuring two large concrete runways and significant support infrastructure.

Since its closure, there have been numerous and persistent plans to redevelop the site into a regional passenger and/or cargo airport, leveraging its extensive runway infrastructure and strategic location near the borders with Belarus and Ukraine. The project, often promoted as 'Port Lotniczy Biała Podlaska', has been discussed for nearly two decades. However, all attempts have so far stalled due to significant challenges, including securing the necessary multi-million dollar funding, questions regarding its economic viability, and competition from the established Lublin Airport (LUZ) located about 100 km to the south. While the idea of a cargo hub is occasionally revived, there are currently no concrete, funded plans to reopen the airport for scheduled commercial aviation. The focus has largely shifted to developing the site for industrial and logistical purposes.