Building the Cargo Terminal in Kraków, just 220 meters from the runway's centerline, was a unique logistical and organizational challenge - said Jorge Calabuig Ferre, President of the Management Board of Mostostal Warszawa. - Working in such a demanding location at an active airport required precise planning and exceptional coordination. One of the most critical challenges was managing the safety clearance zone, which passed just half a meter above the building's northern wall, demanding the highest levels of safety and precise equipment coordination. 

The new terminal is located along Provincial Road No. 774, approximately 1 kilometer from the existing cargo and passenger terminals. It offers 24 parking spaces for vehicles, including 9 for trucks and 15 for delivery vans, significantly increasing the capacity compared to the old terminal, which could accommodate just two trucks and two delivery vans at a time.

Expanding Kraków's Cargo Capabilities

The new facility spans 5,600 square meters of usable space, with a total volume of 39,050 cubic meters. It can simultaneously handle six vehicles, up from two in the previous facility. Besides standard cargo, it also accommodates special shipments requiring specific conditions, such as live animals, pharmaceuticals, radioactive materials, and perishable goods.

Historically, the average annual throughput at the cargo terminal between 2015 and 2024 was around 3,300 tonnes. The new facility allows for a significant increase, with a capacity of up to 8,000 tonnes per year.

The office section of the terminal hosts the offices of key airport stakeholders, including the Border Guard, Customs Office, and Welcome Kraków Airport Services. Additionally, a new entry point to the airport, complete with a security checkpoint, has been established at the terminal site.

Architectural Features

Architecturally, the terminal embodies a technical rationalism, enriched with distinct compositional elements and material finishes. Copper-toned façade accents reflect the historic rooftops of Kraków, while the dark graphite form aligns aesthetically with the airport’s main passenger terminal. Large glass facades on the front of the building provide natural light and a distinctive character, while the administrative wing's sun-shading louvers, designed using parametric modeling, create a dynamic, wave-like effect, echoing the changing wind patterns.

Construction Highlights

• Over 1,000 piles, totaling nearly 14 kilometers in length, were driven during the foundation work – approximately the distance from the terminal site to Kraków's Main Square.
• The reinforced concrete structure used roughly 350 tonnes of steel, with the terminal roof adding another 200 tonnes – equivalent to the weight of 7 fully loaded Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
• The heaviest prefabricated column weighed around 10 tonnes, comparable to two adult African elephants.
• The total investment area spans 49,186 square meters – about the size of 7 full-sized football pitches.

The opening of the new cargo terminal marks the first step in a broader expansion plan for Kraków Airport, setting the stage for future development of the passenger terminal and increased airport capacity.

photo. MW