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Poland picks investor to help build EUR 1.8 bn air hub near Warsaw

24.10.2023 12:30
The Polish government has chosen a consortium of Vinci Airports and the IFM Global Infrastructure Fund to provide PLN 8 billion (EUR 1.8 billion) in financing for the construction of the country’s new mega airport near Warsaw, officials said on Tuesday.
An artists impression of Polands planned new mega air hub.
An artist's impression of Poland's planned new mega air hub.PAP/Piotr Nowak

The decision was announced by Marcin Horała, the government’s commissioner for the project, known as the Solidarity Transport Hub (CPK), Polish state news agency PAP reported.

Horała said on the X social media platform: “We have an investor ready to provide up to PLN 8 billion for the construction of CPK, in exchange for a minority stake in the company that will operate the airport.”

He added: “It’s a consortium made up of Vinci Airports and the IFM Global Infrastructure Fund.”

Vinci Airports, majority-owned by US institutional investors, is part of the Vinci Group and one of the world’s leading operators of civil airports, according to Horała.

It operates a network of over 70 airports in 13 countries and has a workforce of around 270,000, he said.

Meanwhile, the IFM Global Infrastructure Fund is an Australia-based investment company that manages some USD 143 billion worth of assets, including USD 64 billion in infrastructure assets, among them shares in 17 airports around the world, the Polish government said.

By working with a minority investor, the government will “acquire capital while maintaining ownership and control” of the CPK project, Horała said.

The new air hub planned between Warsaw and the central city of Lódź is expected to integrate air, rail and road transport, according to officials. 

The airport is due to be launched in 2028 to handle 40 million passengers a year, the government said. 

Following subsequent expansion, by 2060 the airport would be able to handle up to 65 million passengers, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

(pm/gs)

Source: PAP, CPK