We are deeply saddened to inform you that Dariusz Sawicki, a member of the Solidarity Transport Hub management board, passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2019. Dariusz was 42.
The cause was cancer, which was diagnosed last year. Despite the treatment, our colleague could not be saved. Dariusz Sawicki had been a member of the STH management board since December 1, 2018. He was responsible for the STH airport component implementation.
Darek’s passing is a huge blow and a great irreparable loss for the entire STH team. We connect in great sorrow with his family. Darek created the foundations for the Solidarity Transport Hub Poland and was working on the project with a great commitment. Since establishing the STH, he had led his team to an unprecedented advancement of work.
Dariusz Sawicki graduated from Cranfield University School of Engineering in the UK, where he earned a master’s degree in air transport management with a specialization in airport planning and management.
Before joining the management board of the Solidarity Transport Hub, Dariusz had gained 18 years of international experience in air transport, airport planning, and infrastructure project management.
As the main expert on behalf of the Star Alliance, he participated in the development of the Heathrow Airport in London. He was responsible for planning and coordinating works at the Narita Airport in Tokyo, as well as in Los Angeles, Newark, Hong Kong, and Sao Paulo. He collaborated with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and others on projects at the Heathrow Airport in London, De Gaulle Airport in Paris and Chopin Airport in Warsaw.
Earlier, as a restructuring director in LOT Polish Airlines, he implemented plans to reduce the carrier’s operating costs. He cooperated with the Civil Aviation Authority as an independent expert issuing opinions on plans for the aviation infrastructure development. He ran his own consulting company – Intelligent Aviation – consulting airport planning and management. He was also a lecturer in aviation management, e.g. at Lazarski University.
We will continue to work on the project while maintaining standards to which Dariusz got us used to. We will do everything to make the most of his achievements. I am sure that this is what Darek would expect from us in this situation
The consultation started this morning. The condition for participation is registration and signing a confidentiality agreement (NDA). Comments on the CPK Strategic Brief can be submitted by October 31. The invitation, terms of reference, the registration form and NDA form are all available at:
https://cpk.pl/en/about/airport-component/strategic-brief-consultation
Entities, that will undergo a positive verification, will be given access to the 350-page Strategic Brief of the new airport and the remarks submission form. Using the form, it will be possible to enter proposals for changes and additions in regard to the planned airport infrastructure.
We deliberately started consultations at the initial stage of preparation for the design and construction. It is impossible to plan a modern airport wisely without asking for the opinion of its users, i.e. air carriers,handling, maintenance and courier companies, cargo operators and suppliers of numerous media and services
Our goal is to verify the CPK conceptual assumptions, reconcile them with the needs of future usersand make necessary adjustments. The aim is to ensure that the planned technical, operational and financial solutionsare optimal. In this way, we are also building a knowledge base that will be used for the Airport’s Master Plan
The April preliminary consultation meeting was attended by over 60 representatives of companies such as LOT Polish Airlines, LOT AMS, LS Airport Services, Polish Air Navigation Services Agency, Poczta Polska, Orlen, LOTOS, PERN, Polski Holding Hotelowy, FedEx, DHL, UPS and TNT Express. The investor acquainted partners with the stages of investment, presented a working block diagram of the project implementation and assumptions regarding the formula and scope of cooperation. Already then – by the end of May – CPK received over half a thousand comments and proposals regarding the infrastructure of the planned airport, including passenger, luggage, cargo infrastructure, technical facilities, etc.
Next, in cooperation with the International Air Transport Association (IATA), CPK established the Airport Consultative Committee (ACC) for the new airport. The inaugural ACC meeting, which took place on July 18 in Warsaw, was attended by, among others representatives of LOT, El Al, Emirates, Enter Air, Qatar Airways, SAS and Wizz Air and the following airline groups: IAG (which includes British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Level and Vueling), Lufthansa Group (including Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings). Star Alliance also took part in it, i.e. in addition to LOT, Air China, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Turkish Airlines and South African Airways.
Simultaneously with the airport part of the investment, preparations are underway for the design and construction of new railway lines leading to CPK and Warsaw. In July, the first stage of the Regional Strategic Consultation for the Railways ended. So far, they have taken place in five voivodships: Kuyavian-Pomeranian, Greater Poland, Masovian, Łódź and Lower Silesian. Consultations in another seven regions are scheduled for September.
A Local Community Consultancy Council for the Airport Investment has been operating B, representing the residents of Teresin, Wiskitki and Baranów communes, in which the investment will be located. The Council enables ongoing exchange of information between residents and the local governments with the Office of The Government Plenipotentiary for CPK and the CPK Company itself.
In July, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Poland Mateusz Morawiecki, has approved a 300 million, PLN cash injection for the CPK as a result of the acquisition of new shares by the State Treasury. The government recognized CPK not only as a strategic project for the development of Poland, but also as a profitable investment. According to the Pricewaterhouse Coopers report from April this year, the Polish aviation market has one of the largest growth potentials throughout Europe, and the construction of the hub near Warsaw is justified by both traffic forecasts and assumed rate of return. According to a study by Baker McKenzie from May this year, the creation of CPK could grow Poland’s GDP by 4 to 7 percent.
The meeting of the Airport Consultative Committee (ACC), organised by the CPK, was attended by representatives of LOT Polish Airlines, El Al,Emirates, Enter Air, Qatar Airways,SAS and Wizz Air as well as aviation groups from IAG (including British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus, Level and Vueling). The Lufthansa Group (and associates Swiss, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings) were also present.
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Star Alliance, which includes airlines such as Air China, Singapore Airlines, United Airlines, Turkish Airlines and South African Airways. Representatives of the IATA, the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency, Board of Airlines Representatives in Poland (BARIP) and courier companies such as DHL and FedEx also took part in the talks.
ACC participants were familiarised with the initial concept of CPK Airport. The aim of the ACC is to verify the conceptual assumptions of the investment, review strategic options, assess operational and passenger impacts, and provide ideas that lead to better informed decision-making. The point is that the planned solutions – technical, operational and financial – should be in line with the expectations and needs of carriers.
To plan an airport which meets the expectations of future travellers and airport users, it is imperative that consultation with carriers and companies both operating and providing services to the port is the first step. It is for that reason we are pleased about the high turnout and the interest of airline representatives
Today's ACC is only the first of a planned series of meetings. There are indications that the number of individuals interested and participants of the next meetings will be even greater
We welcome Poland’s CPK initiative, and we are very pleased to be working closely on this key project for transport in Europe. With European demand for travel set to grow by around 50% by 2037 it is crucial that new infrastructure being planned is ready. Today’s ACC meeting in Warsaw shows that we are aware of predicted lack of capacity in Europe and are working on solutions that passenger’s need
Meetings with experts attending the ACC are a great opportunity to talk about the needs of carriers in terms of a broadly defined airport infrastructure – including requirements for passenger terminals, aprons and cargo infrastructure. In this way, we consistently build a knowledge base that will help us prepare a master plan of CPK Airport
ACC participants will be in regular contact with one another via teleconferences and electronic correspondence. The assumption is that plenary meetings, similar to today’s, will usually take place between two and four times per year. On each occasion, the host will be the CPK Poland i.e. the main investor of the planned airport.
Consultative Committees at the IATA took place for major investment projects, including airports in Bangkok, Beijing Daxing, Hong Kong International, London Heathrow, Kuala Lumpur, Manchester, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Stockholm Arlanda.
ACC meetings are another step in consultation with partners of the CPK In mid-April, the CPK Poland began the process of strategic reconciliation with business partners. The inaugural meeting was attended by over 60 representatives from companies such as LOT Polish Airlines, Polish Air Navigation Services, Poczta Polska, Orlen, LOTOS, LOT AMS, LS Airport Services, PHH, FedEx, DHL, UPS and TNT Express.
The investor, the CPK Poland, familiarised the aforementioned stakeholders with the planned stages of the investment, presented a working block diagram of the project’s implementation and the establishment of the CPK regarding the formula and scope of cooperation. Thanks to these consultations, the company received almost five hundred comments and proposals regarding the infrastructure of the planned airport including aircraft, passenger, baggage, cargo, technical support etc.
This year, the CPK Poland plans to appoint a strategic and technical advisor, an international entity with investment experience in the design, construction and management of hubs. In the coming months, the CPK will also commission a master plan for CPK Airport. It will include air traffic forecasts, dimensioning the planned infrastructure and the initial plan for its location, the construction stage and a detailed business model for the new airport.
Architectural workshops that took place over the last couple of days were a joint initiative of the British Embassy in Warsaw and the CPK. The overarching goal was to invite the premier architectural offices from the UK to present their vision of the CPK, and better understand the current trends in airport construction.
We have invited architectural offices with an extensive and impressive projects portfolio, professional experience and creativity to cooperate with us. I think this was a good idea. Clashing the bold concepts with investor’s expectations turned out to be deeply inspiring, oftentimes presenting us with solutions we have never thought of before. We have therefore entered a new stage of the airport planning phases
The investor is not under obligation to use any of the proposed designs, instead they are to serve as a source of inspiration for the project.
Only the best of the best were invited to participate in the workshop. I sincerely hope that the fruit of their work will be useful and inspiring for the company building the new airport in central Poland. On the other hand, the architects could acquaint themselves with the basic assumptions behind the project, and investors’ expectations. I am also glad we could establish and facilitate contact between the CPK and the architectural design firms
Chapman Taylor
This London based studio prepared a design that assumes enclosing the main part of the terminal under a massive transparent dome, which is to be located between the two runways. As explained by the creators of the concept, the hemisphere is to symbolize infinite unity, and thus allude to the history of Poland. ‘The design principles underlying the design of the terminal building of the CPK are a reflection of Poland’s fundamental aspirations as a country: unity, sustainable development and a sense of place. We decided to replicate those key elements of Polish national identity in synergy with the unique “wow” effect, which will leave a lasting, positive impression on the passengers’ – said Peter Farmer, director at Chapman Taylor.
The entire structure will consist of six floors, with the lowest being railway platforms, allowing a tight integration of rail and airport components of CPK. Additional levels will include an interchange floor for railway passengers, arrival and departure halls, business lounge, and a retail section with shops and restaurants. The design of each of six levels is to be styled after six distinct landscapes of Poland: the Baltic coast, Mazury lakes, lowlands, highlands, valleys and mountains.
The design focuses to a significant extent on sustainable development and energy efficiency, and proposes a widespread use of ground heat pumps for climate control in the terminal building, using biofuels and rainwater collection as well as utilizing electric vehicles to service the apron. Simultaneously a lot of attention was devoted to providing an ample amount of daylight and vegetation, drawing inspiration from Singapore’s Changi Airport. For that reason a space was reserved at the center of the construction for an ever green garden and a body of water, accessible via a wooden platform – all this so passengers can relax ahead of their journey.
Foster+Partners
Concept developed by Foster+Partners proposes construction of two terminal buildings; the main terminal is to resemble a key, while the second terminal is to be X-shaped, and would be built at a later stage as a part of the expansion program. Thus the company proposed a modular design of the airport, that can be phased over time, and adapted to the requirements of the growing demand for air travel. The project further assumes, that both terminals are to be connected and integrated, via for example a shuttle train running between the two buildings.
Semitransparent structure of the terminal is to become it’s defining characteristic, making the most of available sunlight. The entire terminal space is to be filled with trees and greenery, with F&P drawing inspiration from the Kampinos Forest near Warsaw, making travel experience more pleasant and less stressful for the passengers. Certain elements of the terminal building will be given a wood finish, a reference to traditional Polish architecture.
On the inside, CPK is to be divided into separate zones catering to the needs of different demographics: leisure, business, families and so forth. Antoinette Nassopoulos-Erickson, Senior Partner at Foster+Partners stressed, that their vision combines Polish tradition with modernity, employing smart solutions and advanced technologies, such as far reaching automatization of passenger service, and usage of hyperloop cargo vehicles, as well as extensive use of sustainable materials.
Grimshaw Architects
With CPK in mind, Grimshaw architects created a concept of a “democratic hub”. The concept is inspired by Poland’s transition to democracy in 1989, and history of the Solidarity movement. Their vision is that of a terminal fit for the needs of those using it; moving away from the grandiose designs of some of the newer hub airports, and instead focusing on functionality, as well as avoiding unnecessary upscaling of the project. The overriding principle is to reduce the transfer time, and decrease the distance passengers need to walk in order to reach their destination.
The concept itself consists of six underlying assumptions: extensive use of daylight, minimalizing the horizontal and vertical distance needed for transfer, references to local specificity and the “spirit of place”, sustainable development, maximizing retail revenues, and excellent connectivity.
Transparent exterior of the terminal building is stylized on a layout and design of a traditional Polish market square. The airport itself offers ample place for rest, reducing stress that accompanies travel. Walking through the terminal, passengers could treat themselves to a delicious meal, do their shopping, relax or work in one of the quiet zones. A space is also provided for public events, such as lectures or performances. ‘We wanted to draw from marvelous Polish tradition, without going too far and avoid pastiche’ said Mark Middleton, Partner at Grimshaw.
Grimshaw’s concept offers convenient passenger solutions, regardless of which means of transportation they use to get to the airport, in keeping with the belief, that new modes of transportation, such as autonomous and electric vehicles will see widespread use in the coming years. Middleton has also described possible of phasing the construction, that differ in the size of the terminal, and the distance between runways.
Zaha Hadid Architects
This UK based architecture firm, boasting an impressive project portfolio, has prepared three alternative designs for the CPK, based on different approaches towards integrating airport with the railway station. All three projects share certain elements, such as good lighting of the airport space, made possible by frequent use of large area transparent elements, as well as incorporating lush vegetation, sustained by a well-designed system that supports the plants in Polish climate.
The first designs is to locate the railway station directly under the airport, allowing the passengers to observe oncoming railway traffic from the upper levels. The second version of the plan assumes placing a passenger part of the station just above the platforms, combining other elements of the airport as included in the master plan. The third designs, more futuristic in nature, proposes a solution where trains arrive directly at the airport terminal, with platforms located on different heights.
Associate Director Filippo Innocenti presented various project phasing options, integrating railway station with the airport, and management of passenger flows arriving and departing by train, airplane and cars. ‘CPK is the sole greenfield project that is currently ongoing in Europe. We would like to learn more about investment needs and adjust our proposal to those requirements’ he explained.
Benoy
‘CPK will be grow to occupy area larger than the entire Manhattan. This is why Benoy presented a holistic initial proposal for the development of the airport as well as the area surrounding it, where the airport city will be raised’ said Alan Thompson, Design Director at Benoy. Thompson described their vision as glocal, being simultaneously both local, and global.
Benoy stresses both ecology and sustainable development as key factors considered. In keeping the design proposes developing a green Airport City surrounding the CPK. The concept is enabled by placing some of the railway lines and motorways in the vicinity of the airport below the surface/underground. A multimodal transfer node will form a central part of the entire system, covered by a transparent roof. The node will integrate various of means of transportation, and will form a hub on which routes will converge.
Inside the terminal, Benoy’s design proposes blurring the boundaries between different sections of the terminal – including a smooth transition between the dining and waiting areas. Architects put emphasis on accentuating surface lighting, and ample greenery, helping passengers to find calm and relax ahead of their journey. Benoy was also the only studio to propose a north south runway layout, instead of the east west arrangement.
Pascall+Watson
Against the backdrop of the other concepts, that offered by Pascall and Watson stood out as the least specific. Project rector Nidesh Naidoo presented a number of solutions utilized by airports in London, Munich, Abu Dhabi and Hongkong, which he believed could be adapted to the needs of the CPK. As a part of his presentation, Naidoo contrasted Istanbul’s concept of a megahub, with Changi’s idea of a multi-hub.
The objective was to make CPK into a transport hub, which owing to it’s convenient transfers, well developed railway and motorway networks integrated with the airport itself becomes an integral part of the European transport network. Pascal+Watson team members underscored, that in order to make that a reality, the passengers will have to be provided with a care free and comfortable travel experience.
Consultations with architectural offices are a next step in the airport design process. In mid-April a strategic dialogue process was initiated with key industry partners. The inaugural meeting was attended by representatives of over 60 companies that will either work with or for CPK. These consultations have yielded over 400 remarks, recommendations and proposals regarding the planned infrastructure.
At the same time CPK has kick started it’s cooperation with the The International Air Transport Association (IATA). Airport Consultative Committee (ACC) was established, that will help design the new airport, with the first meeting of the Committee scheduled to take place on July 18th in Warsaw. IATA has invited all interested carriers to participate in the works of the Committee. In addition to the airlines currently operating out of the Chopin airport and other network carriers, a number of low cost and cargo airlines have also been invited to join the ACC.
At the turn of 2019 and 2020, CPK plans to select a strategic-technical advisor, that will be chosen from a pool of international stakeholders with an extensive experience in financing, design, construction and operation of hub airports. Furthermore, CPK will commission a masterplan of the new airport, that will include, inter alia air traffic forecasts, developing a precise spatial measurement of the CPK infrastructure, and an initial spatial plan, detailed description of construction stages, as well as the final business model under which the new airport will operate.
The dynamic development of air traffic in Poland and the planned construction of the CPK mean that new principles and a new approach to aviation policy must be developed with regard to the airport network. The latest government document concerning this area, namely the ‘Programme for the Development of the Airport Network and Ground Infrastructure’, was adopted pursuant to a resolution of the Council of Ministers of the 8th of May 2007 and, over the past 12 years, was partially implemented and partially became obsolete.
The decision to build CPK has already been made – works are in progress and determine the framework of aviation policy. Due to this, the existing ‘Programme for the Development of the Airport Network’ and ground infrastructure must be replaced with a new document. Representatives of the industry must now work out a common position as to the scope, role and methodology that we will use when working on those components of aviation policy that will concern the development of the airport network
As noted by the Deputy Minister of Infrastructure, we can expect a significant increase in traffic levels on the Polish market, resulting from such factors as increasing Poland’s air traffic capacity through the introduction of the CPK.
Construction of a large transport hub in a given country does not necessarily result in a shift in the proportion of shares in air traffic. In this context, construction of the CPK may constitute an opportunity for regional airports and not a threat.
The meeting was initiated by representatives of the airline industry, including the Polish Regional Airport Association that brings together airports which today generate 60% of air traffic in Poland. The CPK enterprise took it upon itself to organise the first in a series of workshops. Participants discussed various aspects of shaping aviation policy, its scope, time horizon and methodology as well as the shortcomings of the airport infrastructure in central Poland, the low capacity of infrastructure and environmental restrictions.
As a fully-fledged member of the aviation industry, we took it upon ourselves to organise these workshops. The industry, as a whole, is aware of the need and demand for working out a common position in the face of challenges posed by increasing air traffic levels. The CPK as a project complements the existing airport network and will increase the synergy of the entire system, which is why representatives of all entities responsible for managing the airport infrastructure are present here today
According to Mariusz Szpikowski, CEO of the Porty Lotnicze state-owned enterprise and Head of Chopin Airport in Warsaw, “although the development of regional ports in recent years is a positive phenomenon, it wasn’t in all cases accompanied by positive financial results and, in some situations, resulted in a ‘cannibalisation’ of the market”.
We, therefore, need to develop a strategy so as to enable a healthy development of regional ports conducive to the interests of both individual regions and Poland as a whole
The CPK project is an opportunity for regional airports as well. We believe that implementation of the project will lead to much needed changes in Polish regulations, making it quicker and easier to carry out capital works projects at airports. We hope that legal barriers preventing the sustainable development of the domestic airport network will be removed, such as the controversial regulations concerning areas of restricted use
We were happy to accept the invitation to a strategic workshop on the subject of the development of aviation in Poland. It was an excellent opportunity to discuss the role of regional airports, including Kraków Airport, in the context of plans for the construction of CPK. Air traffic projections make it clear that we urgently require both a new, large air transport hub, as well as modern and dynamically developing regional airports
Other participants in the meeting included Beata Mieleszkiewicz – Head of the Department of Aviation at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Piotr Samson – Head of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janusz Janiszewski – Head of the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency as well as representatives of regional airports in Bydgoszcz, Gdańsk, Lublin, Łódź, Modlin, Olsztyn, Poznań, Rzeszów and Wrocław. The meeting was moderated by experts from consulting companies – Boston Consulting Group and ARUP. Apart from providing answers to the question of the future shape of aviation policy with regard to the development of the airport network, the workshops also created a platform for future cooperation.
In 2018, Polish airports handled over 46,000,000 passengers, a 15% increase in comparison to 2017 and almost five times as many as in 2005. According to the projections of PwC, this year Polish airports will handle over 50,000,000 passengers. The number of airline passengers is dynamically growing and, according to the Civil Aviation Authority, this trend will see the number of passengers handled at Polish airports exceeding 90,000,000 by 2035. According to a report by Baker McKenzie and Polityka Insight, 160,000,000 passengers will be unable to use air transport in Europe due to insufficient infrastructure capacity.
As early as in mid-April, the CPK enterprise commenced the process of making strategic arrangements with industry partners. Representatives of over 60 companies, who will operate at the airport or provide services for the airport, participated in the inaugural meeting. As a result of these consultations, the enterprise received over 400 comments and proposals regarding the infrastructure of the prospective airport. The second stage of strategic consultations regarding the CPK will commence in July and will feature even more entities.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has also commenced collaborating with CPK, giving rise to the Airport Consultative Committee (ACC) – which will assist in planning the prospective airport. The first meeting of the committee is scheduled to take place on the 18th of July in Warsaw. The IATA has invited all interested carriers (including those not affiliated with the organisation) to participate in the committee. Apart from the airlines currently operating from Chopin Airport and other network carriers, these include budget and cargo airlines.
Plans of the CPK enterprise for this year include choosing a strategic and technical consultant – an international entity with experience in implementing projects involving the design, construction and management of air transport hubs. The enterprise also intends to commission a general (master) plan for theCPK Airport in this year. The plan will tackle such issues as the estimated levels of air traffic, dimensioning of the planned infrastructure and its preliminary location plan, the staging of construction works and a detailed business model of the prospective airport.