Centralny Port Komunikacyjny: Poland's Ambitious Transport Vision
- Nikita Rybachuk
- Dec 10, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Mar 18
Centralny Port Komunikacyjny: Poland's Ambitious Transport Vision
Poland is getting ready to entirely reshape its transportation system by introducing one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in its history: Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK), also known as Central Communication Port. Situated roughly 40 kilometres (25 mi) southwest of Warsaw in Baranów, this hub is set to combine high-speed rail, air and road travel into a seamless network of transportation.
The New Era of Connectivity
In a landmark move for European aviation, Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) has signed a Letter of Intent with Polish Airports (PPL), the operator of Warsaw Chopin Airport, to collaborate on constructing Poland's largest infrastructure project. The Airport will be built using Polish capital, with CPK holding at least 51% of the airport's subsidiary, with PPL taking up to 49%. The estimated cost of constructing the airport is 44.7 billion PLN (roughly 12.1 billion USD), with 30-40% financed directly by the shareholders of CPK.Lotnisko. The remaining costs will be covered through different debt instruments and bond issuance.
The construction is set to begin in 2026, starting with deep foundations (pilling) for the terminal. Phase one of the Airport is set to be completed by 2032, including two parallel runways and an annual capacity of 34 million passengers. The designed area of the CPK passenger terminal in the first stage is approximately 450,000 square metres. By comparison, the terminal at Warsaw Chopin Airport covers 165,000 square metres. Most importantly, the design of the airport places strong emphasis on intermodality, which will allow it to be seamlessly integrated with a high-speed rail network and a bus terminal.
To support this, enhancements to the transport infrastructure are being made — the high-speed rail line “Y” will connect Warsaw and Łódź, and the A2 motorway is expanding to handle higher traffic volumes.
Moreover, CPK plans to expand its high-speed rail network to nearly 2000 kilometers, in the coming years. This would shorten travel times between Warsaw and the largest Polish cities to no more than 2.5 hours.
Strategic and Security Dimensions
Beyond its ambitious plan to make travel more efficient, CPK is also being considered as a strategic investment in Poland's Security. According to the project's development team, the airport is being designed for dual use — civilian transport and, if needed, military logistics. In times of conflict, the airport could potentially support NATO deployments or humanitarian operations.
"The CPK, despite the nature of a civilian investment, also has a significant impact on the level of defense of our country. Of course, it will not be a military base, but still an extremely important point on NATO's eastern flank – if only because of the significant increase in the so-called military mobility," emphasises Deputy Infrastructure Minister Marcin Horała, the government plenipotentiary for the CPK.
"The current political and military situation in the vicinity of NATO's eastern flank and the war in Ukraine actually confirm the validity of the decisions taken by the Polish state authorities in this regard. The implementation of this project must take into account the need to provide it with anti-missile and anti-aircraft defence, both in peacetime and in wartime, as the airport will become a facility of strategic importance for the economy and defence of the Polish state. In addition, the airport will also play a strategic role for our allies in the event of a need for a quick transfer of NATO forces to the eastern flank," Gen. Samol adds.
Shaping Cities Through Rail
As part of its high-speed rail development, Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) is placing strong emphasis on passenger-centric design. Along with the construction of high-speed rail lines, work is underway to create Local Mobility Hubs (LHM) — multimodal railway stations fully integrated into their urban surroundings and tailored to local communities' needs. These Hubs are designed to reshape how people move within cities and towns, not only between them. Also, their goal is to encourage sustainable urban growth and make cities more liveable.
According to CPK, the Local Mobility Hubs ( LHMs ) are going to be modern, multimodal railway stations developed in cooperation with local authorities, planners, and regional stakeholders. The hubs are designed to act not just as transfer points, but as vibrant local centres aligned with modern urban development.
CPK is currently developing LHMs in Sieradz and Kalisz, where design teams are revitalising railway areas and carefully integrating historic structures into new urban layouts. Each location presents its own various challenges — from road network changes and conservation requirements to the need for better pedestrian and cycling infrastructure. These hubs are expected to become more than just transport nodes, they are intended to function as public spaces where commuting, leisure, services, and local businesses coexist in a seamless urban harmony.
CPK also supports municipalities with land ownership and planning issues, often a complex task around railway stations. By acting as a coordinator, CPK helps to coordinate these processes, ensuring the hubs can be realised effectively. Design efforts also focus on overcoming existing infrastructure limitations, enhancing connections between the rail system and the wider city.
By integrating urban planning, revitalising railway districts, prioritising passenger experience, improving multimodal connectivity, and attracting local investment, Local Mobility Hubs act as catalysts for urban regeneration and represent a new standard for inclusive, sustainable transport planning in Poland.
From Vision to Reality — What’s Next for CPK
Centralny Port Komunikacyjny (CPK) is way more than just an ambitious infrastructure project, it is a really important investment in Poland's future. Having secured key contracts, CPK is gradually shifting from just being a proposal — to reality. The signing of the maintenance-base design contract and the baggage-handling agreement with Vanderlande are early but critical building blocks: they reflect CPK's dedication not only to creating a world-class airport but also to ensuring long-term functionality, safety, and efficiency.
In the coming years, the construction of the airport itself is expected to start, with foundational works, runways, and terminal structures shaped by internationally recognised designers and engineers. Simultaneously, the high-speed rail network will continue to expand, linking Warsaw, Łódź, and other key hubs, and laying the foundation for seamless intermodal connectivity.
From a Strategic perspective, the significance of CPK extends far beyond civilian transportation. Located on NATO's eastern flank, Poland's new airport design has military considerations, meaning that, in case of a conflict, it could potentially support NATO deployments or humanitarian operations.
Ultimately, what is unfolding now is not just the birth of another major airport, but the gradual emergence of a complex, multifunctional transport ecosystem — one that promises to transform how Poland travels, connects, and grows.
Bibliography
Comments