Łukasz Chaberski, CEO of the Polish Airports (PPL) company, which manages the airport, said the new apron was the biggest project at Chopin Airport in 12 years and would significantly increase its capacity.
Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak said demand for additional space at the airport was so high that the project could not be delayed.
He said work was underway on the Port Polska mega-airport project, but the new airport would not open for several years, meaning Chopin Airport needs to meet passenger demand and provide room for the expansion of national carrier LOT in the meantime.
The new apron will also increase the airport's aircraft de-icing capacity by 20 percent during the autumn and winter seasons, according to Chaberski.
"The individual improvements we are making are part of the comprehensive modernisation of Chopin Airport," he said.
The project cost PLN 194 million (EUR 44.3 million).
Chopin Airport is Poland's largest airport and one of the larger in Central and Eastern Europe.
It handled 24 million passengers last year, flying to 142 destinations. Airlines operating from the airport include LOT, Lufthansa, Wizz Air, Air France, Emirates, KLM, SAS and British Airways.
Chopin Airport is expected to continue operating at full capacity until the opening of the new airport under the Port Polska project, planned for 2032. Much of Warsaw's passenger traffic is expected to move to the new airport once it opens.
(sp/gs)
Source: PAP