The Upper Silesian Aviation Group (GTL S.A.) – the manager of Katowice Wojciech Korfanty International Airport in Pyrzowice, Poland – has signed an agreement with Budimex S.A. for the realisation of the first stage of the construction of a new base for the airport’s Transportation and Airport Operations departments.
The new infrastructure will be located in the south-eastern part of the airport, next to the aircraft de-icing apron. As part of the signed agreement, the following infrastructure will be built: a two-storey administrative/social building with a surface of 470 m2, a garage/workshop area covering a surface of 2 294 m2 with 9 stands for cleaning machines, as well as road (maneuvering area, internal roads, pavements) and teletechnical infrastructure. The first stage of the project is worth approx. PLN 20M net. The investment is scheduled to conclude during the second quarter of 2025. The base was designed by Budoprojekt.
“Safety of air operations is among the most important tasks of every airport’s manager. We wish to provide optimal working conditions for departments responsible for this area. We are continuously investing in advanced safety equipment. We wish to increase the quality of the social and technical facilities, thus our decision to build a new base for the transportation and airport operations departments,” said Artur Tomasik, President of the Board of GTL S.A.
Katowice Airport new base, rendering.
The Airport Operations department and Transport and Vehicle Maintenance department play a significant role when it comes to providing the highest level of safety within the airport’s restricted area. The former is responsible for maintaining the full operational readiness of the movement area (runway, taxiways and aircraft stands) at Katowice Airport. It carries out preventive operations during winter and is also responsible for maintaining grass areas at the airport. To carry out these tasks, the department uses special equipment, including cleaning machines, rotary ploughs and high-performance mowing sets. The Transport and Vehicle Maintenance department, on the other hand, keeps GTL SA’s vehicles and equipment in proper conditions.
The construction of a new base for the airport’s transport and airport operations departments is one of the investments planned as part of Katowice Airport’s infrastructure expansion program for 2024-2028. Its largest project is the construction of a 50,000 sq m central passenger terminal. The new terminal will handle departures and arrivals; it will have jet bridges and a tunnel connecting the building with “Pyrzowice Lotnisko” (Katowice Airport) railway station. Between the station and new passenger terminal, a transfer centre for buses will be located. The list of projects also covers the construction of a Multimodal Goods and Fuel Delivery Hub (project co-funded by the European Union), construction of a fourth aircraft maintenance hangar, second cargo terminal, new Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting guardhouse, as well as expansion of car parks and construction of a multi-storey car park. The estimated total cost of the Katowice Airport investment program for 2024-2028 is approx. PLN 1.5B.
Katowice Airport is one of the biggest regional airports in Poland. In 2023, record-breaking 5.6M passengers travelled via its network of flights. The forecast for 2024 estimates that over 6.2M passengers will be handled, most in the history of Katowice Airport. Katowice Wojciech Korfanty Airport is the country leader in the area of charter traffic, and one of the biggest cargo airports in Poland.
The article Katowice Airport – Budimex SA to build new base for transportation and airport operations departments first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.
