The Battle for Budapest Airport: Chinese Airlines vs. Hungarian State
Major Chinese airlines are showing a strong interest in Budapest Airport, as the Hungarian state considers buying it in the near future. Not only is the government eyeing the purchase, but the cargo divisions of all three major Chinese airlines – Air China, China Southern Airlines, and China Eastern Airlines – are also looking to “take over” the airport.
Recent data shows that Liszt Ferenc International Airport recorded 1,392,489 passengers and 23,546 tonnes of cargo last month. This growth trend is expected to continue, with an increase in take-offs and landings by 15.3% compared to the same period in 2023. Additionally, 36,153 aircraft movements have been registered at Budapest Airport this year, marking a 17.8% increase from last year.
Cargo Director József Kossuth revealed that 81 million parcels arrived by air in Budapest last year, with around 60 cargo flights per week currently operating to the airport. These flights include integrator companies such as DHL, Fed Ex, and UPS, as well as scheduled and charter carriers. Kossuth highlighted the high capacity and efficient loading of these flights, with Boeing-777 cargo planes capable of carrying up to 102 tonnes.
Furthermore, all three major Chinese airlines are exploring the possibility of launching dedicated cargo flights to Budapest. They are actively working on establishing direct connections and relationships with major Chinese airports to support this initiative.
As the Hungarian government moves closer to a potential buy-back of Budapest Airport, discussions are ongoing regarding the costs and developments that will be required post-sale. Minister of the PM’s Office Gergely Gulyás mentioned that significant investments worth hundreds of billions of forints are expected to take place, including market-based developments for the railways.
Meanwhile, major infrastructure enhancements are already underway at Budapest Airport, including the construction of a parking garage at Terminal 2, new aircraft stands, boarding gates, and improvements to Terminal 2A. Moreover, the iconic Terminal 1, a listed building, is set to undergo a renewal process in the near future.
With growing interest from Chinese airlines and potential government ownership on the horizon, Budapest Airport is poised for continued growth and development in the European aviation market.
