Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) has launched a tender to select the general contractor for the construction of the new airport’s passenger terminal.
This contract, estimated to exceed 5 billion PLN in value, represents the most substantial procurement under the CPK programme to date.
Announced on 27 May by Prime Minister Donald Tusk, the competitive tender marks a significant step in the delivery of the planned transport hub.
The process will unfold in stages, beginning with the submission of applications to participate by 29 August. Up to five bidders will then be invited to the dialogue phase. CPK expects to sign the contract in 2026, with the terminal construction scheduled for completion by the end of 2031.
The project is positioned as an opportunity for the Polish construction sector and is expected to contribute to economic activity by supporting domestic firms and creating jobs. Contractors are required to demonstrate relevant experience in large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly within Poland and the wider European region.
Project Scope
The terminal is planned to cover approximately 450,000 square metres—nearly triple the size of Warsaw Chopin Airport’s terminal. It will be connected to passenger piers, facilitating direct boarding, and is designed to initially accommodate 34 million passengers per year, with the capacity to expand to 44 million.
Upon opening, the terminal will include 140 check-in desks, with provisions in place to increase this number to 170 in response to future demand.
The terminal’s design, developed by Foster + Partners and Buro Happold in collaboration with over 30 partner firms, includes more than 6,200 drawings and 50 technical reports. It integrates the terminal with a railway station and transport interchange as part of the broader CPK multimodal vision.
Dariusz Kuś, CPK Board Member for Airport Investments said:The tender allows for scope expansion to meet growing demand, ensuring flexibility for changing market needs. We are planning an airport to open in seven years, so must consider future changes now.
Selection Criteria
Bidders must meet specific requirements, including:
- An average annual revenue of at least 4 billion PLN over the last four years
- Successful delivery and occupancy permits for at least two aviation-related or non-residential construction projects, each worth no less than 300 million PLN, within the past decade
- Key personnel with relevant experience and proficiency in Polish, including a contract director, construction manager, and BIM coordinator
The evaluation framework awards points based on project experience within the EU or EFTA. Additional points are available for completed works in Poland, particularly airport terminals valued at over 50 million PLN, and for large-scale terminal projects worth over 1 billion PLN.
Dr. Filip Czernicki, CEO of CPK said:The requirements set out in this procedure aim to engage entities capable of delivering the contract at a high standard, as well as navigating not only international construction standards but also Polish legal requirements related to the construction process.
Project Timeline
The foundations of the terminal are expected to be laid in 2026. The underground rail station and associated tunnel are targeted for completion by 2029. The full airport is then scheduled to open by the end of 2032, alongside the initial segment of the Warsaw–Łódź High-Speed Rail line.
