Poland’s $9BN Mega Airport: Ambitions and Controversies

Introduction

Poland is planning to build one of the largest transport hubs in all of Europe. This new mega airport will connect both high-speed trains and air travel, and has even attracted strong interest from NATO to secure its eastern flank. However, there’s a catch: Warsaw already has two airports, and plans to replace them have caused some controversy. The new government is also not a fan of the project. So, what are the reasons behind this mega project? Does Poland really need one of the biggest airports in Europe, or is it just a publicity stunt? Let’s dive deep and find out.

The Solidarity Transport Hub

Located 40 km west of Warsaw, the Solidarity Transport Hub (STH) will integrate air, rail, and road transport with 2,000 km of new high-speed railway lines connecting the capital with major Polish cities and Rail Baltica. It aims to handle over 40 million passengers annually by 2035, about half of London Heathrow’s capacity. STH is Poland’s shot at becoming a major transport hub for Central and Eastern Europe.

Historical Context

The concept of the new airport is not new; it has been around since the 1970s. Since 2000, analyses, reports, and feasibility studies have been carried out at the government level, leading to the conclusion in 2010 that Warsaw needs a new airport. Chopin Airport, Poland’s largest to date, has nearly outgrown its capacity to meet current and future demands for air transport. The airport was once built far away from the capital, but the city has grown around it, leaving no room for expansion. In 2019, Chopin Airport handled nearly 19 million passengers with a maximum capacity of 22 million annually. Given the ongoing post-pandemic traffic recovery, the airport is projected to reach its limit in the next three years. A new airport seems like the only remaining option.

Economic and Defense Capabilities

STH, also known as the Central Communication Port (CPK), plans to handle 30 million passengers by 2028 and 40 million annually by 2035. However, the CPK is more than just an airport. It aims to become a key component of Poland’s transport system, connecting all major cities with travel times of no more than 2.5 hours by high-speed trains. This involves developing 10 rail spokes radiating from the hub and building nearly 2,000 km of new high-speed railway lines.

In addition to economic and infrastructure benefits, the CPK offers significant defense capabilities. NATO representatives have labeled the CPK as key to securing its eastern flank, planning it as dual-use infrastructure: a civil airport in times of peace and a military installation for NATO support and rapid response forces in the event of war. The CPK could extend the Baltic-Black-Aegean Sea line and potentially include a high-speed link between Warsaw and Ukraine, enhancing NATO’s eastern flank.

Design

This mega project has attracted attention from some of the biggest names in the industry. Grimshaw, Chapman Taylor, Zaha Hadid Architects, Benoy, and Pascall+Watson submitted their concepts, each unique in its own way. Ultimately, the design that clicked with CPK’s administration was crafted by renowned British architect Sir Norman Foster. The airport terminal, railway station, and public transport interchange will be strategically located in close proximity, merging into a large interchange plaza with lots of natural light and greenery to reduce stress. The airport has been optimized to be modular, allowing it to adapt to ever-changing operational needs. The key-shaped main terminal will be built first, with the X-shaped terminal added later.

Will this Airport be Canceled?

On October 15th of last year, Poland held its general elections. The Law and Justice party, which started CPK, won the most seats but couldn’t form its own government. Instead, the Civic Coalition came to power and is not exactly a fan of this mega project. The new government has stated that the CPK needs to be reviewed and might not be needed at all. In January, CPK’s CEO was let go, and the new government appointed its own commissioner. An audit on all activities and objectives was announced, including the financing commitments and contracts. There have been suggestions to improve existing airports as a priority over building a new one.

Despite the uncertainties, large-scale geological surveys have been given the green light, and CPK has acquired land the size of Heathrow Airport. The demolition of properties and relocation of residents who have voluntarily sold their properties has been underway for months. Cancelling CPK now would be a major blow to Poland, but if the project continues, Central and Eastern Europe might benefit massively from one of its first real mega projects.

Conclusion

What do you think of CPK? Does Poland actually need to build one of Europe’s biggest airports, and will it be built at all? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. We hope you enjoyed this article, and thank you for reading.