Okęcie

Okęcie (Polish: [ɔˈkɛɲ.t͡ɕɛ]) is a neighbourhood, and a City Information System area, in Warsaw, Poland, within the Włochy district. Its northern and western portions feature residential areas with apartment buildings, including the housing estates of Jadwisin, Okęcie Lotnisko, and Wieża. The majority of the area of the neighbourhood, covering 834 ha, is dedicated to the Warsaw Chopin Airport, which is an international airport, and a central hub for LOT Polish Airlines. In 2024, it was the busiest airport in Poland and the 28th busiest airport in Europe, with 21.3 million passengers in 2024, handling approximately 40% of the country's total air passenger traffic. The area around the airport features factories and warehouses partially dedicated to the aviation industry, as well as the Institute of Aviation, a state research institution.

Okęcie was founded in the 14th century, when it was separated from the southeastern part of Raków. By 1409, the village of Zbarż was also recorded in the area. The later received the Kulm law rights in 1451. In 1883, two military fortifications, known as Fort VI "Okęcie" and Fort VII "Zbarż" were constructed in the area by the Imperial Russian Army, and used until 1913. In 1934, the Warsaw Chopin Airport was opened in the area, becoming the largest airport in the country, and the hub of the LOT Polish Airlines. Numerous factories also developed around the airport. In 1939, Okęcie became the seat of the municipality named after it. During the Second World War, while Warsaw remained under the German occupation, the airport was used for cargo transportation, and as a base for the German Air Force. The area was incorporated into Warsaw in 1951. Between 1958 and 1972, two housing estates, known as Jadwisin and Okęcie Lotnisko, were constructed in the neighbourhood, for a total of around 12,800 residents. The airport was expanded and modernised between the 1960s and 1980s.