Airport Staff Brush Up on Their Polish

By Emma Stone

WORKERS at Coventry Airport are having a crash course in Polish so they can greet thousands of eastern Europeans due to arrive in the city.

Cafe staff, check-in workers and other teams who come into contact with passengers, are being given special lessons in the language.

It coincides with the launch of flights to and from Katowice in Poland from July 13.

The service will be run three days a week by flight operator Wizz Air which has had so much success with Polish flights from eight other British airports that it has decided to bring forward the launch of the new service by two weeks.

About 6,000 Polish people live in Coventry and the flights are expected to prove popular with their friends and relatives and also with new people moving to Britain.

Coventry Airport’s managing director Chris Orphanou said: "This is one way we can demonstrate our commitment to developing our route network.

"Wizz Air’s services between Coventry and Katowice are the start of a new era for Coventry and we are confident other airlines will realise the appeal of the airport and follow suit.

"Coventry and the West Midlands region have strong historical links with Poland and these new flights to Katowice are great news for the Polish community, business and leisure travellers."

Staff will also wear badges with the colours of the Polish national flag.

(c) 2007 Coventry Evening Telegraph. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.