Work On Poland’s CPK Airport To Start In 2026

The master architect consortium for Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) has handed over the design for the transport hub to the CPK company. This marks an important step in the project, as the design now undergoes a detailed review, with approval expected by the end of the year.

“This is another milestone in the construction and launch of the new airport,” says Maciej Lasek, government commissioner for CPK. “This investment will drive Poland’s economic growth and strengthen the market position of the national carrier LOT Polish Airlines.”

The new airport, situated 40 km (25 mi.) from central Warsaw, is expected to serve as a long-term replacement for Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW)—although both facilities are likely to remain operational once CPK opens. The project underwent review after a change in government last December but will proceed as originally planned.

The airport’s planned passenger terminal will span approximately 450,000 m² and feature three levels dedicated to different zones of operation, including Schengen and Non-Schengen areas. At peak capacity, the airport will be able to handle up to 11,000 passengers per hour, with 140 check-in desks available on the opening day and room to expand to 170 desks in the future.

According to the CPK’s updated design, the airport’s first stage will accommodate up to 34 million passengers annually once it opens in 2032, a significant increase compared to WAW, which served around 18.5 million passengers in 2023. The north pier and central piers will be constructed first, with future piers added based on updated traffic forecasts.

“The CPK investment is a unique opportunity to design a completely new airport from scratch,” says Grant Brooker, Head of Studio at architecture firm Foster + Partners. “Our goal was to create accessible, intuitive, and passenger-friendly infrastructure that ensures comfort, short transfer times, and a positive travel experience. Our design is focused on passengers and their needs.”

CPK will integrate multiple modes of transportation, including air, rail, and bus, with projections indicating that up to half of the airport’s passengers will arrive by train. The terminal will feature 27 stands for narrowbody aircraft and 23 for widebody aircraft, including 18 flexible stands that can accommodate either two narrowbodies or one widebody.

The CPK master architect consortium consists of design studios Foster + Partners and Buro Happold, along with more than 30 other companies from various sectors. In total, nearly 500 designers have contributed to the multidisciplinary design of the terminal, railway station, and bus station.