Flights of fancy - A case study on aviation and EU funds in Poland

The study reviews the rationale of EU Cohesion Policy investments in airport infrastructure using the example of Poland. Both the development and maintenance of airport infrastructure benefit from EU, national and regional budget support. Beyond this, public money flows to airline companies, in practice as gratification for opening and sustaining flight connections.

The main recommendation drawn from the study is the need to phase out EU funds support for airport infrastructure, most urgently in case of newly constructed regional airports. In addition, EU investments in rail infrastructure should be redirected from connecting airports (particularly smaller ones) to railway lines which serve clear mobility needs in regions.