Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK)—a new-build airport that will eventually replace Warsaw’s cramped existing hub, Chopin Airport (WAW)—has launched a tender to select a delivery partner for the construction of the new gateway. The submission deadline is October 20, 2025, and the contract is expected to be awarded in the first quarter of 2026.

The selected general contract engineer (GCE) will act as both project management consultant (PMC) and construction manager and will, said CPK, “bring expertise from greenfield airport projects abroad, as well as large-scale investments within Poland.”

Given the scale of the PLN44.7 billion (USD12 billion) project—CPK is set to open in 2032 with two runways and capacity for 34 million passengers annually in its first phase—the appointed contractor is likely to be a consortium. The winning entity will support the management of the entire airport construction process, providing end-to-end oversight and coordination across the site.

According to CPK, the tender covers support in areas such as consultancy, planning, scheduling, and the integration of multiple design and construction contracts into a single, cohesive program. The GCE’s overarching objective will be to ensure that CPK Airport opens on time, within scope, and on budget—while placing particular emphasis on evaluating the quality of proposed solutions.

Emphasis on Experience

CPK has a long list of preferences for the GCE, but proven experience is the overriding requirement. The operator is only inviting bids from entities that, within the last 15 years, have served as a project manager on the construction and commissioning of at least one greenfield airport project with a minimum annual passenger capacity of 20 million. The project must also have been delivered under either a build or design-and-build contract.

In addition, experience in delivering major infrastructure projects in Poland is “highly valued”, said CPK, which suggests that a consortium with a local partner might be looked on more favourably.

Bidders must additionally demonstrate that they have a team with direct experience in airport construction, while financial eligibility requires proof of a minimum net annual revenue of USD134 million over the past five years. Further details can be found here.

As well as serving as Poland’s new central air gateway when it opens in 2032, a planned high-speed rail network will ensure strategic access to CPK by significantly widening the catchment area. Multimodal integration will ensure smooth connections not only between Polish cities but European capitals—at least that is the intention.

CPK is looking to become a transfer hub, with up to 40% of travelers transiting, thus competing directly with existing European gateways for global connecting traffic. As part of its development strategy, the airport will also create an adjacent ‘airport city’ business and services hub with hotels and office infrastructure, and a cargo city, dedicated to freight handling. 

Filip Czernicki, CEO of CPK, said: “Our aim goes beyond building a modern airport and rail network—it’s also about using the skills and experience we develop to build a foundation for long-term national growth.”

The GCE tender follows one issued at the end of May for the construction of the airport’s passenger terminal valued at USD1.35 billion. The deadline for submissions is August 29, 2025, after which CPK will draw up a shortlist of up to five bidders. Just this week, CPK also selected an advisor for its debt financing: a consortium of Lazard Freres SAS and Pekao Investment Banking, whose offer (one of five) was over USD12 million gross.

Details of all tenders issued by the airport can be found here.