The hub will allow to transfer goods, including aviation fuel, and supply all aircraft operating at Katowice Airport with fuel.
On 13 December 2023 (Wednesday) The Upper Silesian Aviation Group (GTL SA), the company managing Katowice Airport, announced a tender for selection of a construction works contractor as part of the co-funded by the European Union (“Connecting Europe Facility” (CEF) 2021-2027 Military Mobility) project: “Construction of a multimodal goods and fuel delivery hub with railway siding connection at Katowice Airport.” Offers shall be made by 17 January 2024, up to 10.00am, via the JOSEPHINE platform, a tool for the electronification of public procurement.
As part of the investment, a railway siding connecting Katowice Airport with the Central Rail Line (Centralna Magistrala Kolejowa) via railway line No. 182 Zawiercie – Tarnowskie Góry will be created. A three-track unloading front allowing to load and unload goods and fuel will be the heart of the investment; it will abut three 1000 m³ containers and two unloading stands for truck cisterns. In the area of the hub located in the restricted part of the airport, three stands with fuelling pumps for aviation fuel trucks will be created.
With the new infrastructure, there will be a reduction in road transportation in favor of rail, which is part of the process of supporting the development of a sustainable transportation system. The new infrastructure will be prepared to handle alternative fuels to improve energy efficiency and reduce climate emissions. The multimodal goods and fuel delivery hub at Katowice Airport will be adjusted for civil-military dual use, thus allowing to secure deliveries and continuity of operations during on-going military operations. The entire project has an interoperable nature, meaning that the new infrastructure will be intended for use by all interested entities using the airport’s services, both civilian and military, as well as entities doing business in the region.
“We have been putting special emphasis on diversification of infrastructure at Katowice Airport for the past 15 years. As a result of a consequently realised investment program, we not only handle passenger traffic, but also have the biggest aircraft maintenance base among Polish regional airports, as well as a modern cargo area. Construction of the hub will allow to commence activities in the fourth area, related to storage and distribution of aviation fuel. The project has a significant environmental aspect, as various goods will be able to be transported to the airport via railway, which is an ecological form of transportation. It is worth emphasising that the construction of the multimodal hub at Katowice Airport, as well as the reconstruction of railway line No. 182 Zawiercie – Tarnowskie Góry, with which the hub will be connected, were co-funded by the European Union,” said Artur Tomasik, the President of the Board of the Upper Silesian Aviation Group (GTL SA).
In accordance with the schedule, “Construction of a multimodal goods and fuel delivery hub with railway siding connection at Katowice Airport” should conclude by 30 June 2026 at the latest. The total budget of the project has been estimated in the grant application to be PLN 95.5 million; the EU grant under the “Connecting Europe Facility” (CEF) 2021-2027 Military Mobility consitutes up to 50% of eligible costs.
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