BIP
Wroclaw Airport will be even bigger. Reconstruction will start soon
The expansion of Wroclaw Airport is a long-term project and will be implemented in stages for many years. The EU funding will ensure the expansion for military and passenger services. More space is to be on the runways and those intended for landing, which will allow to accommodate even the largest aircraft. The extension will also enlarge the baggage claim hall and the number of gates, i. e. gates leading to specific aircraft. The first works will begin at the turn of 2023 and 2024.
Wroclaw Airport with greater capacity and shorter flight times
The long-term expansion of Wroclaw Airport will be possible thanks to funding from the European Union in the amount of PLN 175 million, which will represent about 50% of the total investment. The estimated cost is PLN 350 million. The new infrastructure will be prepared for passenger and military aircraft.
The investment is primarily concerned with ensuring that aircraft routes or parking places can simultaneously perform different tasks: to service passenger traffic, as well as to service cargo traffic or traffic associated with the presence of American troops in Lower Silesia.
Karol Przywara, Vice President of Wroclaw Airport
Karol Przywara also noted that Wroclaw Airport broke the record of serviced customers in June, and reviews of its services have been appearing for a long time.
- We are a well rated airport, we are expanding the network of connections and this means that we have to maintain this level and modernize the port - said Karol Przywara.
The existing terminal was designed taking into account the possibility of extending the terminal from the west and east by an additional 75 meters and this conversion will be carried out first.
This is a huge investment process, strengthening our position. In addition, we also plan to expand or improve the infrastructure we already have. We are slowly approaching the end of our strength. So it will be the extension of the terminal and the hotel, which will find near the airport.
Karol Przywara
Expansion of the airport will take more than 10 years
- The investment process has already started, but the first works will begin at the beginning of next year. We are trying to organize all this so that it has a minimal impact on limiting or changing the way the airport operates, we are prepared not to suspend operations - emphasised Karol Przywara.
The expansion and modernization of the operational zone will, among other things, reduce the time of performing air operations - taxiing time between the runway and the apron. The number of berths for passenger aircraft and the number of gates serving arrivals and departures will also increase. The start of these works is planned for 2026.
The first works will be related to the project to increase the operational capabilities of the airport for the needs of military operations. Their implementation involves:
- construction of a parking plate,
- construction of a parallel taxiway,
- construction of a de-icing plate,
- construction of a fast exit road,
- reconstruction of existing taxiways.
This redevelopment is also co-financed by EU funds. The value of the project is close to EUR 76 million and the CEF grant from the EU is almost EUR 37. 9 million. The investments will be carried out in stages so as not to disrupt the operations of the airport. The works are expected to be completed in the first half of 2026.
First stage of terminal reconstruction - more gates
In the first phase of the airport’s passenger development, a modular extension of the terminal is envisaged, which will enable the handling of around 8 million passengers using departures and arrivals. The start of this phase is planned for 2026.
- This stage will consist of a symmetrical expansion of the terminal volume from the west and east side by an additional 75 meters (5 modules of 15 meters each). This solution allows the construction of 3 additional bridges with sleeves from the side of the airport plate - explains Przemyslaw Marcinkowski, Director of Infrastructure at Wroclaw Airport.
On the ground floor of the building, during this phase, the security control zone and the number of check-in stations will be increased. The stairs leading to the departures hall will be moved to facilitate access to the new commercial Walk-Through area on the first floor. More space will be available in the baggage claim area and the associated Non-Schengen passport control area. There is also a waiting bar near the exit of the baggage claim hall.
During the first stage, there will be more gates in the Schengen and Non-Schengen area on the first floor. 10 gates (departure gates) will be permanently assigned to the Schengen area, and 4 to the Non-Schengen area. On the other hand, 6 gates are envisaged as flexible Schengen/Non-Schengen. Wroclaw Airport currently has only 12 gates.
More waiting space and information system
At the security checkpoint, a commercial Walk-Through zone will be built with a plaza equipped with information boards to improve orientation in the departure hall space. There are also catering zones, which will be located at the end of the terminal. On the second floor, office space has been planned, which may be a reserve for further expansion.
- In addition, to the west, it is planned to build a “tower” of aircraft traffic control on the aprons. The tower designed on level +2 will be an office area with an aircraft positioning control station. The location and method of implementation of this function will ensure good visibility of the airport plate thanks to the small displacement in front of the building facade - added Przemyslaw Marcinkowski.
This element would also be the link between the expanded terminal in the first phase and the planned expansion in the second phase, i. e. the construction of Pirsu (passenger service area).
The terminal expansion area in the first phase will increase the airport space by about 30 thousand sq. m.
Phase II - expansion of Pirs to 10 million passengers
The 165 metre long pier would be a two-storey building with four additional bridges and four sleeves. This step is intended to increase the functionality of the terminal, will be an extension and continuation of the previous steps.
On the ground floor of Pirs, a zone of three Bus Gates has been pre-planned to facilitate communication for departing passengers.
- This zone will be accessed by stairs from the first floor, so that the passenger path leads from security control through the commercial zone located on the first level. In the northern part there will be toilet blocks, technical and storage rooms and gastronomy - says Przemyslaw Marcinkowski.
The first floor of the airport will be divided into: the departure zone on the south side and the commercial zone on the north side.
Pirs will further expand the number of gates to 26 and increase the area of the commercial zone by about 970 sq. m. It is also assumed that passport control will be introduced to ensure the functioning of some gates as Non-Schengen.
According to the concept of long-term reconstruction, it was also assumed to compensate for the loss of parking spaces where the airport will be expanded. Parking spaces will be returned to passengers in the form of a 5-level car park for about 600 cars.
Planned implementation dates:
Stage I: years 2026-2028
Stage II: years 2033-2035