Poland’s long-planned mega-airport is set to open in 2032 with a new name: Port Polska.
The transport hub, located between Warsaw and the smaller city of Łódź, hopes to welcome 40 million passengers annually. It puts it in the same league as the likes of London Heathrow and Istanbul.
The project received approval in 2017, but progress has been marred by a corruption scandal involving the previous government.
Current Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, who was elected in 2023, has vowed to give the scheme “a clean start”.
He previously said the airport will “completely revolutionise travel across the country and beyond”.
‘The largest transport hub in the region’
Port Polska is envisioned as a gateway to Europe and as one of the largest transport hubs in the region.
Authorities have earmarked 131 billion Polish złoty (€30 billion) for the construction, which will begin in 2026.
The mega-airport has been hailed as a game-changer for travel in the region. Flights will connect to major international destinations, while high-speed rail services will offer a no-fly option for travellers to reach key cities like Kraków, Gdańsk and Wrocław.
Around 40 per cent of passengers are expected to arrive at the airport via train, particularly from Warsaw, which will take around 20 minutes. There will also be a highway system linking to the rest of the country.
“Aircraft from all over the world, 24/7; the largest transport hub in the region; the fastest rail network in Europe – that’s what we’re building,” Tusk said last week.
He added that the project deserved a “clean start”. Originally named Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK), the airport was linked to allegations of corruption.
Reports found that the previous populist ruling party sold 160 hectares of land key to the construction of the transport hub to a private company.
What will the new transport hub look like?
A vast 2,585-hectare plot of land has been approved for construction. The airportwill open with two parallel runways around 4,000 metres in length. A third and possibly fourth are expected to be added later.
Adjacent to the airstrips will be a passenger terminal and railway station.
The design of the transport hub is being led by British architectural studio Foster + Partners.
They are planning a landside interchange plaza “animated by lush greenery and flooded with natural light.”
This space will bring together the three main modes of transport – air, rail and road – and act as a place for people to congregate before travelling or while waiting to welcome visitors.