BUDAPEST AIRPORT CONTINUES TO SET TRAFFIC RECORDS DURING RECORD BREAKING YEAR
Budapest Airport is set for another record breaking year of traffic growth after handling 12 million passengers in the 11 months ending November 30.
As a result of the dynamic growth, more than one million passengers used the terminals of Budapest in November, for the first time ever.
This year’s earlier traffic growth in excess of 14% has continued, as Budapest Airport registered 1,025,501 passengers during the month of November.
This is the first time in the history of the Hungarian capital airport that traffic exceeded one million in November.
Since the Christmas and the year-end period is always very busy, it is highly likely that traffic will approach or even exceed 13 million this year, setting another amazing record after the 11.4 million result in 2016.
“We are very proud of the traffic growth, which is not only to the merit of Budapest Airport, but also of the Hungarian economy and tourism," enthuses airport CEO, Jost Lammers.
"Budapest remains attractive for tourists and business travellers alike. There are fewer and fewer white spots on our European route map.
"In addition to the transatlantic flights starting next summer, we are focusing on another connection to the Far East, trying to attract Asian carriers to the Hungarian capital, as these markets are becoming increasingly important for us.”
Budapest Airport is also quick to point out that the rise in passenger numbers hasn't meant an increase in noise for the airport's surrounding communities, as the gateway is actually handling less aircraft movements than a decade ago.
It notes that BUD accommodated 126,000 landings and takeoffs ten years ago, but will handle only 100,000 again this year.
Moreover, an ever increasing number pf airlines are using quieter and cleaner, modern aircraft as opposed to 10 years ago.
To keep pace with the rapid growth in traffic, Budapest Airport launched a five-year, €160 million development plan called BUD 2020 in 2015.
To date this has involved renovating Runway I and installing a new, state-of-the-art instrument landing system (ILS), while a new airport hotel opens shortly and will be followed by a new 10,000m passenger pier for non-Schengen flights at Terminal 2B.