In today’s PAP briefing, Maciej Lasek, the government’s plenipotentiary for the Central Communications Port (CPK), sought to explain the surprisingly heated shift by Donald Tusk and his administration toward the CPK. He stated that Chopin Airport now serves a different role and is a stepping stone to the success of the Baranów airport project, framing it as a potential path for the future CPK, even as Tusk had delayed expansion at Okęcie and experts questioned the need to extend there.
Asked about the possible expansion of the CPK, which in its current plan targets 34 million passengers annually, Lasek said the project would be adapted to growing needs, even suggesting capacity could rise to 60 million passengers per year.
He noted that any future CPK expansion would be guided by demand, adding that a reserve capacity is being kept to support up to 60 million passengers per year. He spoke during a PAP Studio appearance as the deputy head of the Ministry of FiPR and the government’s CPK representative.
The possibility of adding a third runway was mentioned, though at present there is no pressing need. The capacity of 60 million remains a long-term perspective, acknowledging the aviation sector’s exposure to climate policies and other global shifts that could influence air traffic.
— Maciej Lasek.
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A contentious reversal by the current government
Lasek stressed that the architectural concept prepared by the British consortium Foster + Partners and Buro Happold would be implemented with minor changes. These adjustments aim to align the project with current needs while reducing both construction and ongoing airport management costs.
He emphasized that CPK engineers collaborated with the designer to ensure changes do not alter the external concept or user functionality. When asked whether the airport would be built, he replied that the decision would be communicated plainly to the public. He also avoided promising that Chopin Airport would close after CPK construction, saying only that discussions continue about suitable solutions for Okęcie.
Today Chopin Airport is seen as serving a different function and is considered a foundation for the future Baranów project, a perspective Lasek described as central to the CPK’s future potential.
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A military component may join the plan
Despite past political clashes over the project, the revised plan now includes the possibility of a military component. Lasek said a zone for a military element could be set aside if the Ministry of Defense decides it has the resources to use such a space, with arrangements made to secure a suitable site.
Asked about the military aspect, he noted that earlier documents from the PiS government were seen as more PR than substantive, but the current plan contemplates a dedicated zone should defense interests decide to develop it further.
He added that the airport infrastructure, including the surrounding road networks, would be built to support dual-use needs, serving both civilian and potential military use. This approach reflects a continuity with prior statements by the project’s predecessors about multipurpose infrastructure.
— Lasek.
The government representative for the CPK stated that the overall program will be carried out with resilience in mind, highlighting planned investments at central and regional airports to strengthen national capacity. He mentioned Rzeszów, Kraków, and Wrocław as key sites that could support NATO-related transshipment, along with Zielona Góra and Szczecin as important regional nodes.
READ ALSO: Horała criticizes communications and management gaps contributing to delays
Okęcie’s expansion remains pivotal
Lasek defended the stance that expanding Okęcie is essential; without it, there is little justification for investing in a hub airport. He described CPK as a catalyst for developing Poland’s national carrier, LOT, and expressed a goal for the airline to grow substantially, potentially becoming twice its current size.
The objective is to view the CPK program in the broader context of LOT’s development, balancing the growth of the hub with the airline’s strategic expansion. He indicated ongoing dialogue with LOT’s leadership about synergy between CPK and other airports to bolster LOT’s network and overall development.
When pressed about LOT becoming one of Europe’s largest carriers thanks to CPK, the spokesperson suggested the aim is to at least double LOT’s current scale and to support an expanded fleet of 130–140 aircraft over the next decade, aligning expectations with the airline’s solid market reputation.
Questions around analyses
Lasek faced questions about publicly releasing consultant reports and audits used to justify the CPK’s current form. He replied that the documents are protected by trade secrets but that summaries would be prepared for public sharing. He emphasized that the essential takeaway is the decision to move forward with the project, and that efforts have succeeded in making the plan feasible.
He acknowledged calls from opponents to reveal the full set of documents, noting that while some action in the past half-year appeared limited, the project would continue in its revised form. Critics may still argue about alternative approaches, yet the priority remains advancing the CPK according to a realistic schedule, contrasting with previous perceptions of infeasibility.
Asked whether the CPK’s name would be changed, the deputy minister suggested that this is not the most urgent issue today. He added a personal note about seeing the project through—an engineer’s commitment to delivering the plan, with a sense that the final outcome may be discussed with the public in time.
There was also a speculative remark about naming the airport differently or allowing public input on the decision, though no specific process was outlined.
The overall sentiment reflected in the briefing suggested continuing political turbulence, with some observers criticizing the tone of debate around the CPK. Yet the discussion underscored a clear intention to press ahead with the project while addressing concerns from critics and stakeholders alike.