Flight plan

"Polish Airports" State Enterprise (PPL), the owner of Frederic Chopin Airport in Warsaw, has announced its investment plans for 2008-2012. The plans include the completion of construction on Terminal 2, renovation and expansion of asphalt surfaces as well as integration of the two terminal buildings into one architecturally coherent structure.

The schedule outlines the selection of a company to prepare the complex project documentation, which should occur before the end of 2008. The first stage will comprise renovation of runways, construction of new rapid-exit taxiways, laying down new asphalt for apron areas, new jet-fuel filling infrastructure and a new defrosting station. The first stage of work is expected to be fully completed by 2011.

The second stage comprises the addition of new aprons at Terminal 1 and 2, and is scheduled for completion in Q4 2010. The final stage includes modernization of Terminal 1 and work to connect it with Terminal 2.

"In 2012, Frederic Chopin Airport should have a single, modern passenger terminal, with up to date infrastructure for checking-in passengers and effective solutions on the tarmac, which will increase the airport's capacity," said Michał Marzec, general director of PPL and director of Frederic Chopin Airport. A new hotel and an office building, situated in close proximity to the airport, are also in the pipeline.

Last year PPL terminated a contract with a consortium of Ferrovial, Budimex and Estudio Lamela for work on the construction of Terminal 2. The most important work that has been completed since then has included the opening of the northern concourse and the departure and arrival halls in Terminal 2, inventory of work done by the consortium, handing over of a new taxiway and completion of the apron. A multi-level parking lot with 2,600 spaces was also opened in front of the airport.

Marcin Poznań