Warsaw Chopin Airport is preparing for its biggest modernisation programme in many years. Polskie Porty Lotnicze has launched the long-awaited tender for the expansion of the complex. The planned changes are intended to increase the port’s capacity, stabilise the functioning of air traffic prior to the launch of CPK and create conditions for the further expansion of LOT Polish Airlines. The planned expenditure will amount to PLN 1 billion. All this is taking place at a time when preparations for the construction of the Central Communication Port are starting in parallel.
Revision of plans and source of funding
The decision to return to the expansion of the capital’s airport came after a change in strategy by the state, which considered the earlier halt in modernisation to be a serious oversight. The original calculations included an outlay of PLN 2.4 billion, but the current assumptions remain closer to financial discipline. Polskie Porty Lotnicze is to cover the cost of the investment from its own funds, which, according to government declarations, should not disturb the operator’s results. The authorities emphasise that the modernisation is to enable the smooth development of air traffic until the opening of the new port in Baranowo in 2032. Without the infrastructure upgrade, the airport’s capacity would be exhausted sooner than anticipated, forcing restrictions on the offering of connections.
Chopin Airport – scope of change and timetable
Work is expected to begin in January 2027 and be completed in 2029, with the final scoping of subsequent phases to be announced once the documentation has been refined. Modernisation will include the expansion of terminal spaces and the reorganisation of infrastructure so that the port can accommodate more than 30 million travellers a year. The most important changes will be carried out in the non-Schengen area, where there will be an expanded area prepared to handle wide-body aircraft. In parallel, the south jetty will be redesigned to strengthen facilities for Schengen zone passengers. Enlarging the terminal by about 15% will provide additional space, and the reorganisation of the parking stands will improve ground traffic. One of the taxiways will also be rebuilt. There are also plans to upgrade security controls, installing new scanners and additional Border Guard stations. As a result, the airport is expected to achieve an operational capacity of 50 take-offs and landings per hour, with the works being carried out in a reduced disruption mode.
Market and consequences for passenger traffic
The increase in traffic numbers is forcing decisive action. In 2023, the Warsaw port will handle 18.5 million passengers, more than 20 million in 2024 and possibly even 23 million in 2025. This means rapidly approaching the technical limits of the current terminal layout. The Polish national carrier needs space to further develop its long-haul fleet, and without modernisation there would not be enough room to build a network of connections to later move to CPK. That is why the PPL authorities are planning to cooperate with the ports of Lodz, Modlin and Radom to keep the carriers in the country during the construction work.
Chopin Airport – plans
Earlier plans from 2024 envisaged a larger-scale expansion, with full depreciation by 2035. In the end, an operationally more efficient and financially more controlled option was decided upon. This solution is expected to facilitate the transition of traffic from Okęcie to the future CPK without losing operational potential on the part of LOT and other carriers.
Source: rynek-lotniczy.pl, forsal.pl
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