Poland’s flagship airport development programme, Port Polska, is gathering momentum as construction preparations, financing arrangements and regulatory approvals continue to advance toward the planned opening of the country’s new international gateway in 2032. The project, located approximately 60 kilometres west of Warsaw, is designed to transform Poland into a major European aviation, cargo and multimodal logistics hub.
The programme, previously referred to as the Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) or Central Transport Hub, integrates the construction of a new airport with an extensive high-speed rail network and upgraded road infrastructure. While “CPK” is often used to describe the airport itself, Port Polska now represents the broader national transport programme being delivered by the state-owned Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK)company.
Airport Designed for Long-Term Passenger and Cargo Growth
The new airport will initially be capable of handling 34 million passengers annually, with a modular design allowing future expansion as traffic demand grows. Beyond passenger operations, the airport is expected to become a significant air cargo gateway, offering the land availability and operational flexibility unavailable at Warsaw’s existing Chopin Airport.
Unlike Chopin Airport, which is surrounded by dense urban development after nearly a century of operation, the new site has been planned with sufficient space for future cargo terminals, logistics parks, aircraft maintenance facilities and multimodal freight connections.
The airport’s strategic location between Warsaw and Łódź will also provide direct access to Poland’s expanding motorway network and planned high-speed rail corridors, strengthening its role in regional and international supply chains.
Financing Backed by Public Investment and External Capital
According to Polish Airports (Polskie Porty Lotnicze – PPL), the airport development will be financed through a combination of 30% internal funding and 70% external financing, creating one of the largest infrastructure investment programmes undertaken in post-war Poland.
PPL plans to invest approximately PLN 4.6 billion by 2032. Nearly PLN 1.3 billion will come from internally generated funds, while around PLN 3.3 billion will be secured through external financing, including a banking consortium expected to be announced during 2026.
The initial capital injection—estimated at approximately PLN 1 billion—is expected to support early construction works at Baranów, Wiskitki and Teresin, where major airport infrastructure will be developed.
Strong Financial Position Supports Investment
The financing strategy is supported by the improving financial performance of Polish Airports following the recovery of air travel after the pandemic.
PPL currently holds approximately PLN 1.9 billion in liquid assets, while forecasts indicate 2025 revenues of around PLN 1.7 billion and net profits exceeding PLN 600 million.
A significant portion of future investment funding will be generated through continued operations at Warsaw Chopin Airport, which remains Poland’s busiest airport.
Modernising Chopin Airport to Finance the Future
Although civil operations at Chopin Airport are expected to transfer to Port Polska once the new airport opens, PPL intends to continue investing in the existing airport during the transition period.
The modernisation programme is expected to improve operational efficiency and increase annual net profits to around PLN 1 billion, providing additional funding for the development of Port Polska. This approach allows revenue generated by the existing airport to finance the construction of its long-term successor.
Construction Programme Continues to Progress
The wider Port Polska programme continues to move through regulatory and construction milestones.
The CPK company has already submitted 19 applications for building permits, while the estimated cost of the overall transport programme is approximately PLN 131.7 billion through 2032. Of this, more than PLN 42 billion has been allocated to airport infrastructure alone.
Recent approvals include building permits for Airport Rescue and Firefighting Service stations, further advancing preparations for operational readiness.
Cargo Infrastructure at the Core of Development
While passenger traffic remains a central objective, cargo operations form a major pillar of the airport’s long-term strategy.
The project has been designed to accommodate modern cargo terminals, integrated logistics facilities and efficient multimodal freight connections, addressing the space limitations that have constrained further cargo expansion at Chopin Airport.
The airport’s location, extensive land availability and direct links to rail and road networks are expected to strengthen Poland’s position as a logistics gateway connecting Western Europe with Central and Eastern European markets.
Building the Operational Organisation
Preparations extend beyond physical infrastructure. PPL has already begun assembling specialist operational teams covering airport security, information technology, cargo operations and transfer passenger management.
The organisation also plans to introduce and test new operational systems at Chopin Airport before transferring them to Port Polska, allowing staff to gain practical experience and minimise operational risks during the airport’s commissioning.
This phased approach is intended to avoid many of the operational challenges experienced during the opening of several major European airports in recent years.
Opening Target Remains 2032
Construction activities are expected to accelerate during 2026, followed by airport certification processes throughout 2031.
Commercial operations are scheduled to commence in 2032, alongside the opening of the first section of the high-speed rail connection linking Warsaw, Port Polska and Łódź.
Once operational, Port Polska is expected to become one of Central Europe’s largest integrated aviation and logistics hubs, combining passenger services, cargo handling and multimodal transport infrastructure within a single national gateway.
