Ryanair invests over half a billion zlotys in a Polish airport

• Ryanair has invested €130 million in Krakow, opening the first Boeing 737 "Gamechanger" crew training centre in Poland and the only one in Central Europe.
• The new center will be able to train up to 500 pilots, cabin crew, and engineers daily. Two modern simulators are already operating in Krakow, with more to follow by the end of the year.
• Thanks to Ryanair's investment, 150 people will find jobs.

The training center was built directly adjacent to Kraków-Balice International Airport. It is equipped with two hydraulic Boeing 737-8200 simulators and a dedicated training fuselage. By December 2025, the number of simulators will increase to four. Ultimately, the facility will have eight hydraulic simulators and two stationary simulators.

A "gift" from the Irish for the 20th anniversary of cooperation with Krakow

As Michael O'Leary , CEO of the Ryanair Group, emphasized, Kraków plays a key role in the carrier's operations in Central Europe.

"The €130 million investment comes as Ryanair celebrates its 20th anniversary in Krakow. Since its first flight in October 2005, Ryanair has become the number one airline in Poland, operating a total of 44 aircraft and carrying nearly 20 million passengers annually. During this time , Krakow has grown into one of the leading aviation hubs in Europe and Ryanair's largest base in Poland," said the CEO of the low-cost airline.

"From now on, Kraków is our training center for crews. And not just those from Poland, but from all over Europe," added Michał Kaczmarzyk, CEO of the charter airline Buzz, part of the Ryanair Group.

Technology Transfer to Małopolska: New Opportunities

Local authorities also participated in the Center's grand opening. The project is consistent with the city's development strategy as a hub for innovation.

"The new simulator and training center will not only strengthen the potential of Balice Airport and create new jobs, but will also enable the transfer of cutting-edge technologies to the capital of Małopolska, which in turn will attract people from all over Central and Eastern Europe for training . An investment of this magnitude also confirms the good cooperation between the Małopolska Voivodeship and the largest air carrier in Europe," said Łukasz Smółka, Marshal of the Małopolska Voivodeship.

"Our city will strengthen its position as a dynamically developing economic and technological center. I believe that together with our partners, we will continue to create conditions conducive to the development of innovation and modern services," said Aleksander Miszalski, Mayor of Krakow.

Krakow's growing role in Ryanair's network. It has the largest

Ryanair's importance to Krakow Airport is confirmed by its operational data. Since opening its base there in 2013, the carrier has served 35 million passengers, with 5.9 million of those expected in 2024 alone. Ryanair currently offers 89 routes from Krakow , making it the largest carrier at the airport.

"Michael, you've always had a base in Krakow, but it's easy to move a base. It's not like that with a house anymore. This center is your home. This shows how strategically important Krakow is to you," Ireneusz Raś, Deputy Minister of Sport, addressed the airline's CEO directly.

"This investment strengthens the brand of Kraków and the airport internationally, while also contributing to the education of highly qualified personnel. This enables the further development of the aviation industry, raising safety standards, and improving passenger travel comfort," concluded Łukasz Strutyński, CEO of Kraków Airport .

A dedicated aircraft for low-cost airlines. The apple of Ryanair's eye.

The Boeing 737-8200 "Gamechanger" is a special version of the Boeing 737 MAX 8-200, designed primarily for low-cost airlines . It is the newest and most economical version of the entire Boeing 737 family. For comparison, the "standard" Boeing 737 MAX 8 seats approximately 189 passengers. The 737-8200 "Gamechanger" version has a modified cabin configuration, allowing it to accommodate up to 197 passengers.

According to the manufacturer, the plane uses 16 percent less fuel than earlier versions of the 737.

In turn, data provided by CEO Michael O'Leary shows that the carrier currently has 630 aircraft in its fleet, 600 of which are Boeing 737s. Another 300 have been ordered .

There are 44 Ryanair aircraft based in Poland at six airports.