Warsaw Chopin Airport years of operation, passenger traffic grew rapidly. In 1993, the airport handled nearly 2.2 million passengers, while six years later, this figure climbed to 4 million. Eventually, the decision was taken to increase the number of available check-in desks to 33, and then to 46, consequently increasing the terminal's capacity to 6 million passengers a year. In March 2001, Warsaw Airport was renamed in honour of the renowned Polish pianist and composer Frédéric Chopin (though this name is almost never used by residents of Warsaw, and most frequent visitors know the airport simply as Okęcie). A year later, a tender
Airport city logically combined elements that reinforce each other. Services and facilities are designed to guide travelers easily through the airport process. Access is key for passengers, cargo, businesses, and residents, many of whom work in the airport city. "Time" has named it as one of "10 ideas that will change the world". The chapter "The Way Forward" from "Global Airport Cities" describes the basic airport city drivers, which have evolved with different spatial forms predicated on available land and ground transportation infrastructure: The most common airside and landside airport city commercial activities include: duty-free shops and airline lounges; restaurants, catering, and