New terminal construction at BUD Airport could begin in 2025
Image by Budapest Airport/Róbert Baranyi
In an interview with airportal.hu, Budapest Airport CEO Chris Dinsdale stated that the construction of a new passenger hall could commence in 2025, adding that the airport operator would like to temporarily reopen Terminal 1 until then, with the addition of a pier.
The planned multistory car park will be constructed in a slightly different location, and a complex public transport hub is planned in its place, which will be connected to the future railway station.
Dinsdale said that he expects a faster traffic recovery than at other airports in the region.
Airport passenger traffic increases, but still below pre-pandemic levels
According to a press release sent to the Budapest Business Journal, Ferenc Liszt International handled 64 861 passengers in April 2021, some 550% more than in the same month of the previous year. Still, compared to April 2019, the passenger traffic dropped by some 95.2%.
The airport argues that passenger traffic continues to follow the travel restrictions in force throughout Europe. However, with the relaxing of the restrictions, Budapest Airport expects significant traffic growth but moderate overall traffic when compared to record 2019 levels.
Cargo traffic still strong
Following the record cargo traffic registered in the first quarter of 2021 and the exceptionally high March air cargo data, the rate of growth further increased in April. The airport handled a total of 16,691 tons of cargo in the fourth month of the year, recording a 62% increase from the same period last year and 54.4% from the same month of 2019.
The airport operator attributes the growth to the hard work of the BUD cargo team, the cargo community, involved authorities, and Hungary’s favorable geographical position. Last month, Budapest Airport signed a cooperation agreement with the Chinese Henan Airport Group, the operator of Zhengzhou International Airport, and the Chinese-Hungarian business and logistics development company CECZ / Utlink, aimed at establishing the aerial Silk Road between Hungary and China, which is expected to further boost freight traffic.
According to forecasts, cargo traffic could reach the milestone of 150,000 tons, and Budapest Airport has commenced preparations for the further expansion of the cargo environment at the airport and the BUD Cargo City.
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