POLAND. London-headquartered The Design Solution (TDS) has been selected to transform the commercial spaces across Kraków John Paul II International Airport’s newest terminal. It will work alongside the main designer for the terminal expansion, PIG Architekci, with works due for completion in 2026.
The scheme is part of a master plan for the long-term development of the terminal, opened at the end of 2016, which was built to increase the fast-growing airport’s capacity to 8 million passengers annually.
According to TDS, the airport’s management have put special emphasis on their commercial requirements to drive up non-aeronautical revenues and create “a powerful and exciting passenger experience”.
TDS Managing Director Robbie Gill said the company is planning the commercial area in the expanding terminal as a sinuous street. It will be wide enough to enable the planning of seating for passengers, promotions and pop-up opportunities and event areas, he said, but narrow enough to allow all passengers to view and shop on both sides.
Halfway along this journey there will be a level change, he added, which will give passengers a panoramic view over the second zone of the departures lounge.
Reflecting on the wider picture for the project, Gill said: “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.”
Kraków John Paul II International Airport Director of Aviation and Commercial Services Pawel Galiak praised TDS for its commercial thinking on the proposed scheme. He added: “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.”
Kraków John Paul II International, Poland’s second-busiest airport, experienced traffic growth of +17% in 2017 followed by a further hike of +16% last year, to reach 6.78 million passengers. It is forecast to handle about 7.9 million passengers this year, which will be more than double the number the airport served in 2012.
