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Budapest Airport Hits an All-time High Before Taking 2016 by Storm

21/01/2016 by Aviation Times

Budapest Airport recorded final passenger traffic numbers of 10.3 million, a resounding average 12.5% growth, and over 1.1 million more visitors than in 2015, ending the year on an all-time high. While other European airports had an average growth of just 5%, the Hungarian gateway was confirmed as one of Europe’s fastest growing airports. With several months breaking the one million passenger barrier, the upturn has been chiefly credited to the addition of three new airlines and 18 new routes throughout the year, meaning a total of 44 airlines connected Budapest to 95 destinations in 2015.

With a remarkable 22% growth over the last five years, Budapest is set to take 2016 by storm having already announced 13 new routes and the arrival of yet another new airline partner, Air Canada rouge. Significantly boosting the capital city airport’s links to Canada, the leisure carrier will add an additional long-haul service to Toronto, from 10 June.

Further increasing Budapest’s route network during the S16 timetable, home-based carrier, Wizz Air, will kick-off the summer season with the launch of five connections; Nice, Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden, Liverpool and Reykjavik/Keflavik, while welcoming the return of a direct link to Baku. The ultra-low-cost carrier has also announced it will be adding a further weekly connection to Ibiza during the height of the season, increasing Hungary’s links to the Spanish leisure destination. Meanwhile, Ryanair will be considerably broadening its schedule from Budapest, commencing services to Malaga, Malta, Gran Canaria and Corfu, offering 18 routes in total.

Fulfilling a long-standing wish for Budapest, easyJet will begin a thrice-weekly service to Lyon from 26 April – filling a significant white spot, the highly-desired French city was the airport’s largest indirectly served destination in Europe.

New airlines and routes  

Meanwhile, with an increase of flight frequencies, Budapest is also experiencing growth on a number of existing successful routes.

Significant frequency enhancements

Commenting on Budapest’s objectives, Jost Lammers, CEO, Budapest Airport said: “We are extremely proud of our great results. The airport’s incredible health last year allowed us to successfully deliver growth levels amongst the best in Europe. The city of Budapest’s own charm plays a great part in making the airport flourish, whilst being able to offer passengers a vast selection of airlines and expanding destinations remains a driving force for growth. We enter 2016 in a strong position and it remains imperative for us to continue to grow and build upon these solid foundations.”

Source: Budapest Airport