Kraków John Paul II International Airport has appointed London-based design specialists The Design Solution (TDS) to transform all of the commercial spaces across the terminal.

 

Over the past decade the airport has been one of the fastest-growing regional airports in Europe, insist TDS, and has developed an ambitious Master Plan for its long-term development.

 

This includes the expansion of the terminal building and apron, repositioning the cargo facility and a new runway. The airport’s management have put special emphasis on their commercial requirements to drive up non-aeronautical revenue and create a powerful and exciting passenger experience.

 

Following the opening of the terminal in 2016 to expand capacity to 8m, Poland’s second-largest airport experienced traffic growth of 17% in 2017 followed by a similar rise (16%) to 6.78m passengers in 2018. It is forecast to handle around 7.9m passengers this year.

 

The airport selected PIG Architekci Sp. z o.o.to design the expansion of the terminal, with commercial planning from TDS.

 

‘THE RISE OF LOW COST CARRIERS’

Robbie Gill, Managing Director at The Design Solution, outlines the importance of a new commercial approach at Kraków: “Many European regional airports have experienced strong traffic growth through the rise of the low cost carriers.

 

“Kraków is a powerful example of the challenges that such airlines face to simultaneously develop their capacity and ensure that the commercial planning enables them to fully exploit the commercial opportunities provided by that traffic growth.

 

“We are planning the commercial area at Kraków International as a sinuous street, wide enough to enable us to plan in seating for passengers, promotions and pop-up opportunities and event areas but narrow enough to allow all passengers to view and shop both sides.  Halfway along this journey there is a level change, which will give passengers a panoramic view over the second zone of the departures lounge.”

 

All works are due for completion in 2026.

 

Pawel Galiak, Director of Aviation and Commercial Services at Kraków Airport, comments: “We are delighted to have appointed The Design Solution, it is still early days but they have made a great contribution to PIG Architekci sp. z o.o. through their commercial thinking on the project.

 

“We are convinced that, thanks to The Design Solution’s commitment to the project, we will be able to provide our passengers with the best balance between maximising the non-aero revenues and the best possible passenger experience.

 

“The transformation of all the commercial space that will be delivered will have to address the expectations of the airport’s future passengers. The approach taken in the early planning, as well as the presented commercial solutions, are evidence that our cooperation with a company that has such an extensive knowledge and worldwide experience will pay off for Krakow Airport.”