Kraków Rakowice-Czyżyny Airport

The airport was closed for primary civilian and military operations following the opening of the new, larger Kraków-Balice Airport (now John Paul II International Airport Kraków–Balice, EPKK/KRK). The Rakowice-Czyżyny location had become unsuitable for modern, larger jet aircraft and was being encroached upon by the rapid urban expansion of the city of Kraków, particularly the construction of the Nowa Huta district. The relocation to Balice was a strategic decision to accommodate growing air traffic and larger aircraft in a more suitable, less urbanized location.

The former airport site has been completely repurposed and is now an integral part of the city's cultural and recreational landscape. The historic hangars and a significant portion of the airfield are home to the world-renowned Polish Aviation Museum (Muzeum Lotnictwa Polskiego), which preserves the site's heritage and displays an extensive collection of aircraft. Much of the remaining area, including the former runway, has been transformed into a large public park called Park Lotników Polskich (Polish Aviators' Park). The surrounding area is now densely populated and features major modern infrastructure, such as the Tauron Arena Kraków. The ICAO code PL-0272 is a national identifier for a registered private landing site ('lądowisko') named 'Kraków-Muzeum Lotnictwa' located on the museum grounds, which may be used for occasional helicopter landings or special events, but it is not a functioning public airport.

Kraków Rakowice-Czyżyny Airport holds immense historical significance as one of the oldest airfields in Europe. Established in 1912 by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, it was a key military air station (Flugpark 7). After Poland regained independence in 1918, it became one of the first and most important bases of the Polish Air Force. In 1923, it began handling civilian traffic, becoming Kraków's first international airport and a base for LOT Polish Airlines. It was a stop on one of the earliest regular international airmail routes (Vienna-Kraków-Lviv). During World War II, it was used by the German Luftwaffe. After the war, it continued to serve as a military and aeroclub base until its main functions were transferred to the new airport in Balice in 1963. Limited use by the military and the Kraków Aeroclub continued for some years after.

There are no plans or prospects for reopening Kraków Rakowice-Czyżyny as a functional airport. The land has been fully and permanently redeveloped for cultural, recreational, and urban purposes. Its location is now deep within a dense urban area, making any potential aviation operations incompatible with modern safety regulations and city planning. The site's value as a museum and public park is firmly established.