Mostostal Warszawa S.A. signs contract for expansion of passenger terminal at Kraków Airport

- We understand how important the expansion of the passenger terminal is for the airport. We are facing an ambitious task, but we are very well prepared for it. We are highly experienced in working at airports. In recent years, we have completed many important projects, including terminals in Olsztyn and Modlin, as well as the Cargo Terminal and the Supporting Terminal here at Balice Airport. We have an experienced engineering team and strong organizational capabilities. We will make every effort to ensure that the investment is delivered in line with the highest quality standards - said Jorge Calabuig Ferre, President of the Management Board of Mostostal Warszawa S.A.

-John Paul II International Airport Kraków–Balice is the largest regional airport in Poland and, according to ACI rankings, a European leader in airport development - said Dariusz Klimczak, Minister of Infrastructure. Such a position among major European airports is not only a source of pride, but above all a challenge to ensure that infrastructure development keeps pace with the impressive growth in passenger traffic. Today’s agreement is another milestone in the implementation of the investment plan at Kraków Airport, valued at more than PLN 4 billion.

- The T6 terminal expansion is the largest infrastructure project in the history of our airport, worth PLN 537.7 million net - emphasized Łukasz Strutyński, President of the Management Board of Kraków Airport. It is eagerly awaited both by us and by our passengers, who in three years’ time will gain access to a modern and comfortable space capable of handling 16 million passengers annually, and after completion of all phases in 2032, even 20 million passengers.

- A detailed review and redesign of the original terminal expansion project allowed us to achieve the first effects of increased terminal capacity already in April, when we opened the Supporting Terminal for passengers. It was created within just nine months through the redevelopment of former cargo warehouses - recalled Janusz Kardasiński, Member of the Management Board of Kraków Airport. This terminal enables us to continue growing during the main passenger terminal expansion works now getting underway.

A modern architectural form

The newly designed T6 terminal, with an area of nearly 45,000 m², will form a natural extension of the existing building, creating a cohesive architectural whole. The architects chose to continue distinctive design features such as the southern “prism” façade and the triangular graphic motif, which will appear in ceiling divisions and skylight forms. On the apron side, three new towers with staircases and boarding bridge access points will be constructed.

A key operational change will be the relocation of arriving passenger services to the new terminal section, with the arrivals zone organized on the ground floor. The arrivals area will include 32 passport control booths, 10 ABC gates, and a baggage reclaim hall equipped with six carousels. The Non-Schengen departures zone will also be relocated to the first floor of the expanded section, where 22 passport control booths and 10 ABC gates will be installed.

Large-scale expansion

The new infrastructure will also include an expanded commercial zone on the first floor, designed as an attractive retail and food & beverage concourse forming the service heart of the terminal. Passenger circulation routes to both Schengen and Non-Schengen zones will pass through this area. Efficient logistics operations for all retail outlets will be ensured by a specially designed delivery and waste removal corridor hidden behind the commercial premises and out of passengers’ sight.

The first floor of the new terminal will also feature larger departure lounge areas, 11 additional gate positions, and a new two-level Business Lounge dedicated to passengers traveling in both directions, with the possibility of future expansion onto the second floor if needed.

The investment will incorporate modern and innovative technological solutions aimed at providing passengers with greater comfort, improved safety, and more efficient service at every stage of the journey, including enhanced accessibility for passengers with disabilities.

A “green” approach

The project places strong emphasis on sustainability. The roof will feature greenery and a photovoltaic installation, while the building will include a greywater system enabling the reuse of recovered water for operational purposes.

The infrastructure will also include accompanying facilities such as a new security building, charging stations for handling agents’ vehicles, and an underground delivery zone with storage, technical, and staff welfare facilities for airport operational services.

The new terminal section is scheduled to open in mid-2029. All phases of the terminal expansion — including the western section (T6), the eastern section (on the site of the Supporting Terminal opened in April), and the modernization of the currently operating terminal — are expected to be completed by 2032.

Once all works are finalized, the airport will be capable of handling up to 4,400 passengers per hour (20 million passengers annually), for both arrivals and departures, while maintaining the IATA “Optimum” standard.

Due to the conflict between the existing VIP Terminal and the planned T6 expansion, the VIP facility will need to be temporarily relocated. A lightweight temporary structure with an area of approximately 600 m² will be constructed near the Supporting Terminal as part of a separate investment project, ensuring continued comfortable service for VIP passengers during the construction works. The project implementation period is 36 months.

Photo: MW