Impact of COVID-19 state aid funds on the performance of airports in Poland

The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted airport operations worldwide, prompting governments to introduce extensive state aid programs to safeguard the continuity of essential transport infrastructure. This study investigates the effectiveness of COVID-19-related state aid granted to Polish airports and its impact on their financial and operational recovery between 2016 and 2022. The analysis is grounded in the theory of public intervention, which posits that targeted government support can correct market failures and sustain critical services during systemic shocks. It also draws on organisational resilience theory, emphasising the role of adaptive capacity and institutional response in post-crisis recovery. The empirical framework employs financial indicators such as the operating profitability ratio, dynamic and structural measures, and an original indicator of uncovered loss per passenger. Data were obtained from airports’ financial statements and official government sources. The results demonstrate that state aid mitigated uncovered losses and supported the continuation of operations, though the effectiveness varied across airports. Larger airports with diversified revenue structures recovered more rapidly, whereas smaller regional airports remained more vulnerable. The analysis also highlights data limitations and the restricted generalizability of the findings beyond Poland. The study recommends aligning aid mechanisms with actual recovery rates, enhancing the resilience of regional airports, and integrating financial support with broader transport and sustainability policies.