Airports: Zakopane's airport plan revealed

The zł.200 million project is being carried out by the city of Nowy Targ, the largest city in the region, but Zakopane is lobbying in favor of the plans as the airport will be located just 20 km away and would ease tourism to the area.

"We have all the documentation, business and zoning plans produced by German company IVB [which won the tender last year for the project]. At the moment we are carrying out talks with potential investors. They are already showing interest," said Marek Fryźlewicz, Mayor of Nowy Targ.

"I cannot say when it will be ready, in three or in five years. But it will definitely be completed and we are doing everything to make it happen as soon as possible," Fryźlewicz told WBJ.

The new airport will be located on an existing 130-ha airfield used by the Nowy Targ Aeroclub for training. The 77-year-old facility and the 300-ha of space surrounding it have already been assigned for the airport in the city's zoning plan.

"We gained the support of Balice [the Kraków airport, close to Nowy Targ]. It is possible that our airport will use their radar homing system, which will make preparations easier and faster," the mayor added.

"We have divided the project into two stages. The first one, only to get started, will be the construction of a 1,600-meter runway. This is enough for several 40-50-passenger airplanes per day," said Fryźlewicz. There are plans to build other infrastructure later, such as hotels, and commercial space.

"You cannot earn money from the airport alone - you need the infrastructure around it," Fryźlewicz told WBJ.

The design and construction contract has yet to be tendered but the city is in talks with various construction companies regarding the project.