Poland’s flagship aviation infrastructure development has reached a major milestone with the selection of a consortium led by Hill International as the General Contract Engineer for the country’s planned central airport. The appointment forms a critical part of the broader Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) Port Polska Programme, which aims to establish a fully integrated air, rail, and road transport hub between Warsaw and Łódź.
The winning consortium, which includes Egis alongside Hill International entities, emerged as the most competitive bidder in a tender process that attracted five international consortia comprising leading engineering, construction, and project management firms. The contract value offered by the selected consortium amounts to PLN 1.585 billion (approximately €374 million), making it the most economically advantageous bid under the evaluation framework.
According to the procurement criteria established by CPK, bids were assessed based on a combination of price (50%), contractor staff experience (20%), service delivery methodology (20%), and project organisation plan (10%). A key requirement also stipulated that senior personnel must demonstrate proficiency in the Polish language and possess prior experience supervising design or construction works within Poland.
Other competing consortia included major international players such as Jacobs Engineering Group, Dar Al-Handasah, MGGP, and Artelia, with bid values ranging from approximately PLN 1.76 billion to over PLN 3.48 billion.
Dr. Filip Czernicki, CEO of the Port Polska Programme at CPK, stated that the selected consortium will be responsible for comprehensive project management services, including planning, scheduling, contract integration, and construction oversight. He emphasised that the role will be central to ensuring the airport is delivered within the agreed timeline, scope, and budget parameters.
Beyond core construction management, the consortium will also coordinate closely with the future ORAT (Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer) consultant. ORAT methodology is widely recognised as an international standard for airport commissioning, focusing on ensuring operational readiness before launch. In addition, the consortium will support certification processes for airport infrastructure under the BREEAM framework, which evaluates environmental performance and sustainability outcomes.
The tender required participants to demonstrate substantial prior experience, including at least one project within the last 15 years involving the construction or expansion of an airport with a minimum capacity of 20 million passengers annually and a contract value exceeding €2 billion. This requirement underscores the scale and complexity of Poland’s planned aviation hub.
The Centralny Port Komunikacyjny programme represents one of Europe’s most ambitious infrastructure initiatives. Designed to be operational in 2032, the new airport will initially accommodate between 34 and 44 million passengers annually, with provisions for phased expansion in line with future demand. The development is intended to serve as a strategic multimodal hub, integrating high-speed rail connections and road networks to enhance national and regional connectivity.
As Poland advances toward execution of this transformative infrastructure project, the selection of a seasoned international consortium marks a decisive step in translating long-term planning into large-scale construction and operational delivery.
