Airports in Lublin and Rzeszów have resumed full flight operations following the conclusion of precautionary military aviation activities triggered by Russian long range aviation conducting missile strikes on Ukrainian territory.
The temporary suspension, which lasted approximately one and a half hours on 15 April 2026, allowed Polish forces to respond without interference to potential risks near the eastern border areas. According to the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency, civilian flights at both southeastern airports returned to normal schedules by late evening, with no reported delays or diversions persisting into the following day.
The Operational Command of the Polish Armed Forces activated necessary resources after detecting activity from Russian Federation long range aviation engaged in strikes against Ukraine. In line with established procedures, an on duty pair of fighter jets along with an early warning aircraft were scrambled into Polish airspace, while ground based air defence systems and radar reconnaissance units were elevated to a heightened state of readiness.
These measures remained purely preventive, aimed at safeguarding national airspace and protecting regions adjacent to the areas under threat, with no indication of any violation of Polish territory by foreign aircraft or munitions. The command confirmed continuous monitoring of the situation, with all subordinate forces kept prepared for immediate response if required, and operations were stood down once the immediate risk subsided.
This latest incident forms part of a recurring pattern where Polish authorities implement short term restrictions at airports closest to the Ukrainian border during periods of intensified Russian aerial activity. Both Lublin and Rzeszów, serving important regional and international connections including military support logistics in past years, experienced only brief disruptions, allowing quick recovery of passenger and cargo services without broader impact on national aviation. No injuries or damage were reported, and travellers faced minimal inconvenience once the all clear was issued.
